You write...

SIR - We know Durham city and county councils are increasing the council tax by approximately 15 per cent. Did you receive a 15 per cent rise in your pay packet this year? Did benefits increase by 15 per cent? I don't think so. How long are Durham councils going to be allowed to authorise increase like this? Will next year be the same or will they try to get away with a 30 per cent rise?

What happened to the money raised by all the extra car parking charges in and around Durham? What will happen to the money raised by charging to enter the Cathedral area, will the council tell us?

It is time for the residents of Durham to fight back.

My suggestion is that all council tax payers pay last year's tax plus between three and five per cent on top. Even that is above the inflation rate, but let's give the council the benefit of the doubt - which is more than they give the general public.

This way the councils will still be receiving monies but will have to account for it in a more acceptable way which benefits the Durham residents more.

In future years the councils should allow the public to vote on future rises. It already happens in other areas. After all, they are public servants and we, the public, put them in power.

Remember - these are Labour councils who, if you believe the rhetoric, are doing their best for you. For them to blame the Government for lack of funding is incredible,. It is also a Labour Government. Do they not talk to each other? Do they not look after each other? Apparently not.

Do you also remember the poll tax? That was destroyed by people power - and people power can make Durham councils be realistic and see sense. If you feel the same as me please write and make your feelings known to the councils.

You can also write to me at the address below. Together we can make a difference.

Robert West, 9 Wilson Crescent, Gilesgate Moor, Durham DH1 1PF.

Pensioners conned

SIR - The public are being conned. Pensioners are given a rise in their pension, everyone agrees it is necessary, but the pensioners don't get it in the long run.

Local government introduces £80 a year rise in community charge which swallows up £1.75 of the £2 rise. Then there are all the other different tax rises - fuel tax, etc.

Those who don't claim any benefits are worse off to begin with, and those who do claim are no better off either because the powers that be still take their share.

What a dilemma for pensioners. Growing old is bad enough, but false statements claiming that pensioners are getting rises are an insult to their intelligence.

A lot of pensioners suffer greatly while the powers-that-be stupidly think (I don't know how) the pensioners have benefited. It's an obvious stalemate, and that belittles and worries pensioners.

Maureen Pattison, South Pelaw, Chester-le-Street

Ban the National Front

SIR - I would like to associate myself with views expressed by one of our city councillors (You Write, February 28) as regards the distribution of literature by the National Front in Durham City.

Unlike the councillor, I am not dismayed. I am in a state of anger. I believe the vile, odious National Front, should be made illegal. They should have no part in our society.

The Labour Party has always been at the forefront of the fight against racism. I wish our Labour-controlled council had the power to ban these dreadful people from our city.

Fortunately for the NF we live in a democratic society, which believes in free speech for all, something that organisation would not afford everyone.

I also share his concerns for his home county of Lancashire. I found the amount of votes gained by the BNP at the general election shocking.

The councillor states that he would hate to see Durham going the same way as parts of Lancashire. I tell him now - have faith in our people, as I do. We will stand to together against this social menace.

Racism is evil and has no place in our society or indeed our great city.

Paul Taylor, Meadowfield, Durham

NF represents me

SIR - After reading Richard Ormerod's letter I was dismayed that this person thinks he has the right to say the BNP has no right to canvas for support for their country, Britain, after seeing what is happening here.

Still 6,000 asylum seekers a month enter this over-populated country. I see he is from Lancashire where Burnley, Oldham and Rochdale have been taken over by Asian people.

I think these people have every right to canvas their support for the Union flag, as there is going to be no future for true British children in their own country.

I am pleased to see someone has the sense to see what is happening to this once proud country.

But what is happening to it now? We are overrun.

Retired and worried,

name and address supplied