COUNCIL TAX

THE council tax rise in Bishop Auckland is an absolute disgrace, and people should not pay it.

These Labour-controlled councils in the North-East should not be tolerated any longer, because they claim to represent the ordinary people but, in business terms, they are absolutely clueless. - Rob Richardson, Bishop Auckland.

DURHAM CITY

I READ with annoyance "A Tale of Two Cities" (Echo, Feb 27). As a local girl, I am not aware of any "unofficial timeshare" of social life in Durham.

I've lived in Durham all my life and chose to stay here to go to university locally, rather than move away, because I love my city so much.

My friends (students or otherwise) go out whenever we can afford it (which contrary to popular belief, isn't all that often) whether weekday or weekend. Never has there been trouble with students, and a great deal of friendships have been formed between "us locals" and students.

The trouble comes with people like Mr Withers, whom you quoted as saying "the city is kind of ours during the week but theirs at weekends", and Dr Harvey who mentions "haves" and "have-nots". The trouble lies in this "them" and "us" attitude that has developed.

The tendency to look upon the locals as being somehow different is the real antagonism. While many students and locals do their best to intermingle and have a jolly good time doing so, the issue will never be resolved until this "them" and "us" hogwash is well and truly dead and buried. - Julia Mole, Ushaw Moor.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

GROWING up in the 1950s and 1960s was the subject of the popular Tyne Tees Television series, When We Were Kids.

Another series is now in production, this time featuring the 1970s and 1980s, and the producers would love to hear from anyone who grew up during that period.

If you have got lots of memories and stories to tell, home cine film or photographs from that era, then please write to me. - Liz Treasway, Producer, When We Were Kids, Tyne Tees Television, City Road, Newcastle NE1 2AL.

HOUSING PROBLEMS

OVER three quarters of a million children in England live in poor housing. A report published today shows that, for many, bad housing conditions are severely damaging their health.

The report by Shelter reveals the huge number of children who are suffering from damp, mouldy and overcrowded housing. Many of them develop asthma, other breathing complaints, and skin diseases like eczema. Shelter estimates that l00,000 children in England are suffering in cramped, temporary accommodation that can be damaging to their health.

I have come across many children in my own medical career who suffer from chronic conditions such as eczema or asthma, which are triggered and made worse by living in damp, mouldy or otherwise unsuitable accommodation. But even when GPs and hospital specialists recommend that these children's health would further deteriorate if returned to these conditions, their parents' application to be rehoused is turned down.

More must be done to help children who are suffering in appalling housing conditions. I urge people to support the Shelter and Bradford and Bingley Health and Housing Campaign. If you have a housing problem, get help before it becomes a crisis by calling Shelterline on freephone 0808 800 4444. - Dr Hilary Jones.

EUROPE

I READ with interest Mr Ashby's letter (Echo, Mar 4). I wondered if he could tell me how the European Union has kept the peace in Europe since 1945, when it was not created until the Treaty of Rome in 1957?

Many of us were under the impression that European peace was due to the existence of Nato and a high level of US support. I also wondered if the peace in Europe he mentions includes the occasional outbreaks of high intensity peace we have witnessed in Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Albania and so on, much of it sparked by the actions of the EU in recognising breakaway republics?

As regards employment, I thought I might point out that a Neil Kinnock stated in February last year that "there would be no effect on trade if the UK left the European Union". As Mr Kinnock is vice president of the European Commission, I would imagine he knows what he is talking about.

The final point is the net cost of British membership. The Institute of Directors estimates it at between £15bn and £25bn per year. It is equal to the cost of 200 new hospitals every year, or enough to hire one million nurses. So, I am afraid, Mr Ashby, that we would, indeed, be better off out. - M Croucher, National Press Officer, UK Independence Party.

ROYAL FAMILY

THE Royal Family, like all families, has problems; after all they are only human.

However, they represent one of the most efficient, well-run and vastly profitable businesses Britain has to offer. Against what they earn, let's add up the income to our nation via tourism alone. Tourists from around the globe come to see the history surrounding the Royalty and establishment.

Prince Charles was way before his time with his views on Organic Farming. His "Duchy" food products employ many people, some in our own region.

The Prince's Trust has been a major help to young people wanting to set up a business. The Duke of Edinburgh awards, countless good deeds for charities, a son who served alongside his men in the Falklands and a timetable to make the Socialists call for a strike. Even the Queen Mother's workload tops John Prescott's.

Does Mr Collinson (HAS, Mar 7) really think a presidential set-up will be more profitable than Royalty? The Royal Family gives back more than it takes and that's more than we can say for the likes of Lord Dormand. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.