STUART'S THE MAN: I HONESTLY cannot understand how some football pundits and fans would like Steve McClaren to become the next England manager.

It would be ludicrous. I only need to look at the amount of money that he has spent while being in charge at Middlesbrough.

He is not the man to take charge of our national team after Mr Eriksson leaves the job after the World Cup.

I honestly think that the job should be given to an Englishman, and that chap in my eyes is Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce, whose passion and pride stands head and shoulders above the rest of the other potential candidates. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

BUS STATION

WHILE passing through Durham bus station on Sunday morning I was shocked by the distressing sight of the entrance.

At least three windows were broken and one pair of doors not working. The walls were scratched, dirty and daubed with graffiti and the floor covered with litter.

What a let down to Durham and after so much has been spent on improvements.

The introduction of a bin for cigarette ends near the entrance doors has a depressing effect and serves to legitimise smoking and the congregating of such people in that area.

Their presence is intimidating and the cloud of smoke they produce is unpleasant and unhealthy.

Something urgent needs to be done for this is undermining the good work that has been achieved and will have a demoralising affect on staff who do an excellent job keeping the bus station clean and free from smoke. To them, I say well done. - CG Farquhar, Durham.

CARE HOMES

MY mother is resident in Feryemount at Ferryhill, one of the homes under threat of closure (Echo, Jan 28).

I am certain that she receives the best possible care there, rather than in a private home which, being a business, needs to make a profit. The care mother receives is excellent, the staff are genuinely caring and friendly, the home is lovely.

I visited mother for her 96th birthday and the next day the possible closures were announced in your newspaper. Pity the families of residents could not have been told in a different way.

As to the £3m expected savings, I'm sure in the first year following any closures there would be huge savings, for I'm afraid many residents may not survive the changes.

Care at home sounds ideal but, however dedicated the care workers, it is not the answer for everyone.

Surely, when talking about the best care for old folk, money cannot be the only issue. - Liz Tomlin, Scarborough.

RE the story about the closure of Durham county's remaining care homes.

My mother is in Shafto House, Newton Aycliffe, one of the homes in question. She went there reluctantly at first, being fiercely independent for as long as she was able.

Since moving into Shafto House, under the care and attention of a wonderful and dedicated staff, she has flourished and now wishes she had moved earlier.

Your article mentions a 'consultation process'. Should that not include ALL interested parties? My mother hasn't been consulted, nor indeed have any of the other residents.

This is no more than a move by the council to hive off the cost of the care of elderly people to the private sector, with a callous disregard for their well-being.

Was it Bette Davies who said that old age isn't for wimps? Why don't we all do the government of this country, local and national, a favour - work til we drop, then ship ourselves off to Switzerland to die with Dignitas? It would get rid of the wimps - who probably don't vote anyway - solve the pensions crisis and save the NHS. Get rid of the sensible ones and leave the lunatics in peace to take over the asylum. - Brenda Wears, Durham.

NUCLEAR THREAT

DURING the latter days of the Clinton administration, the US began a rearmaments programme, which even before the events of 9/11, increased under the Bush administration.

After the events of 9/11, the US declared a policy of Global Domination Perspective in which this present millennium would see a world reshaped to serve the interests of the US.

Despite protests from around the world and the threat it posed to world peace, the American government declared the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) treaties invalid and announced its intent to develop a new generation of nuclear weapons, some of which would be deployed in space to be used against any nation which opposed America's economic, military or political interests (the so-called Son of Star Wars programme).

All of which literally went up in flames when the space shuttle burnt up on re-entry.

So when President Bush condemns countries like Iran, North Korea, etc., for trying to develop or obtain nuclear weaponry, let us not forget that this development began as a direct consequence of the threat created by President Bush, his advisors and his financial backers within the American arms industry, including those run by his own father. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

TAXING TIMES

I READ the item concerning Darlington's council tax rise (Echo, Jan 25) of 4.5 per cent and the chief executive's comments of the average rise being 69p - less than the cost of a loaf of bread.

According to the General Secretary of Amicus's reported figures (Echo, Jan 24) local government workers suffer extremely low pay, earning as little of £12,000 per year. What does this make my earnings of about £6,300 per year?

Perhaps this is less rise than the cost of a loaf of bread, if you can afford the known quality brands, but some of us have to use supermarket own brand, cheap. This is nearly the cost of three loaves.

I would also point out that the police and, in recent times, the fire brigade, each add a levy to the council tax. We wait for their rises.

Northumbrian Water bills are approaching with, if I remember correctly, the requirements for above inflation rises. TV licences, gas bills, electric bills etc are all requiring above inflation rises.

My pay will not rise above inflation, so I am worse off. I am single so get no allowances (except 25 per cent council tax discount). How much longer before I just hand my pay over to tax? - Name and address supplied.

SPORTING CASH

WE have all heard on many occasions people complaining and arguing that our footballers of today earn too much money.

If that if the case why is it that tennis players and golfers escape judgement? They are safer sports.

In my youth I played football at semi-pro level and suffered a broken leg. What are the chances of that happening while playing golf. I have heard Tiger Woods described as a great man on more than one occasion. A multimillionaire, yes. A great man, I doubt it.

Could you also give my great friend Gary 'Gaz' Summerson a mention for his sterling service to Sunday league football. - T Morretti, Bishop Auckland.