I HAD ambivalent feelings regarding your article on the Darlington lesbians Samantha and Kirsty (Echo, July 16).

I admired them standing up and being counted, but was appalled that they should have had to endure such anti-social behaviour.

Due to poor education, a minority of people form a cultural consensus singling out any whose lifestyles or values appear different to their own. They influence other locals within their own accepted norms and the 'others', the minority, become out-cast.

The instigators, who may only be two or three families, then start a war of attrition and feel justified. Their usual starting point is a character assassination.

In my own case, which was protracted, we incurred the wrath of the local convicted drugs pusher by attempting to rescue children from his grip, while other neighbours looked away in fear of upsetting him.

The war of attrition was stepped up as we were labelled paedophiles for our efforts to save children from drugs. We were called petty thieves, the utilities were phoned on our behalf and told we were changing suppliers and wanted to be disconnected, and the police were called and groundless complaints were made. We were even stalked.

We were treated as criminals instead of victims.

I would appeal to anybody who is enduring similar problems not to be frightened into submission - even if the police are unable to deal adequately with your problems.

Stand firm and tell the police that you refuse to become double victims and if they do not protect your human rights, they will be called out again next time the ignorant yobs kick off.- Name and address supplied, Co Durham.

FLAG-FLYING

I COMPLIMENTED BMB Menswear of Powlett Road, Hartlepool, on the way it had sympathetically responded to the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother by respectfully lowering its flag during the period of mourning.

Then during the whole of the England soccer team's unsuccessful attempt to win the World Cup, it flew the flag of St George.

Now it has raised the Union Flag, which I trust will be taken as a positive boost to the morale of the British people and British industry in general.

The company deserves to be applauded for its Bulldog spirit in the face of such negative forces all too prevalent in the country and in the workplace in modern days when facing foreign governments' protectionist practices and intense international competition.

I look forward to viewing the company's flags for many months to come.

I trust that other local companies are encouraged to proclaim their heritage in such a public-spirited way.

There are several locally-based international companies who fly the flag of their host/parents company, so why not British companies? - Richard Turner, Hartlepool.

IRAQ

THE Rev John Stephenson and his usual sentimental sermonising insults the intelligence of those who are not prepared to tolerate Saddam Hussein (HAS, July 17).

Saddam Hussein's heinous behaviour is not only against his own people but many other Muslims who happen to get in his way. I wonder what the good reverend thought of Hitler and his tyranny.

The Church he represents has not much influence in this country any more, which is just as well when John Stephenson talks so irresponsibly. - John Young, Crook.

FROM which version of the New Testament does Peter Mullen get the "just war" theory (Echo, July 16)? Certainly not from the New Testament on which I was brought up and which led me to become a pacifist priest.

His outrageous, un-Christian statements in your columns are beyond belief, and rightly have roused the anger of your readers.

Let him keep on with his ravings if he must, but can you not give him a free transfer to the Sun or the Telegraph, both right-wing newspapers, where his views will be much more acceptable, and spare your readers more of his "let's bomb Iraq" philosophy? - Rev J Stephenson, East Herrington.

THANKS

AT the recent schools' garden party, we held a balloon race and I would like to pass on the thanks of everyone who returned tickets to us. Many came back from the Blackwell area of Darlington, although the eventual winner had travelled all the way to Lincoln.

Despite appalling weather, the garden party raised just over £3,000 for the schools. Thank you to all who contributed. - Frances Griss, Chairman, Abbey Schools PFA, Darlington.

MARKET

IN reply to Coun Williams' letter (HAS, July 19) regarding the decline of Darlington's outdoor markets, I have many, many memories of a vibrant and busy market when there were a lot more stalls than today. People came from all over to enjoy them when the whole market place was filled with stalls selling all kinds of goods.

I just ask, as a long time lover of previous markets, why is the present one so quiet and dead? - F Wealands, Darlington.

DURHAM PUMA

I THOUGHT Derek Parker's reply (HAS, July 18) was hilarious regarding the report of a possible sighting at Scar Top, Barnard Castle, of a puma.

These very elusive big cats would have to be very clever indeed to miss all the snares, traps and guns which other animals encounter.

I would be interested to know whether investigations past and present are paid for by the police.

However, I am off to Scotland soon and I shall keep a lookout for any sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. - Brenda Scragg, Frosterley, Bishop Auckland.