CHRISTMAS is nearly here and what can we expect from good old Darlington?

The worst tree in the area and the worst lights ever seen.

What happened to the big green, yellow, red and blue lights we used to have, as other towns in the south of England have?

There is no public transport after s6pm, so a person can't meet family or friends in town on Christmas or New Year . That means people are forced to stay indoors and watch London enjoying themselves.

It was only about 15 years ago we had quite a good transport system and could go just about anywhere, getting from A to B quite quickly. The town used to have character and nice shops, like Dressers, not pound shops.

Do you remember the trains tooting at midnight and gentlemen standing outside with their piece of coal?

Everything has been so regressive.

It is time the top one per cent of this town brought a little joy and charity to the town. I would rather have a bit of Hogmanay then Trafalgar Square and my heart belongs to Scotland and not Westminster.

J Merry, Darlington.