CONGRATULATIONS to Derwentside Labour Party and to Councillor Alex Watson in particular on being re-elected despite the most ferocious campaign against the council.

It is often said that elections are not won during a three-week campaign. Coun Watson and his colleagues have had to cope with continuous and relentless opposition for six years.

Not that the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Independents needed to do any work. It has been done for them by Kevan Jones, who I thought was MP for North Durham by virtue of being a Labour Party member. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.

Perhaps Mr Jones might like to reflect that, despite his efforts, Labour was returned in Derwentside and Alex Watson was the only Labour candidate to win in his ward. Furthermore, he also topped the poll.

Mr Jones would serve the Labour Party better if he reserved his criticism for the real opposition - and let local Labour councillors get on with their work.

Malcolm Pratt, Chester-le-Street.

ALL of the Fair (Ferryhill Association for Independent Representation) candidates in the Ferryhill Town Council and Sedgefield Borough Council elections would like to thank the people of Ferryhill for the magnificent support we received.

For an organisation which did not exist nine months ago to have five candidates elected to the town council and one to the borough council is truly remarkable.

The hard work is, however, just beginning and we will all try our hardest to represent the people of Ferryhill to a very high standard.

Councillor Brian Gibson, Ferryhill Association for Independent Representation.