IT is good to hear David Cameron talking up the voluntary sector.

As a community activist in Chester-le-Street I see first-hand how local groups and volunteers are getting to grips with anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drugs - the consequences of deprivation and broken communities.

Gordon Brown is wrong to believe that social problems can be solved by the inefficient, wasteful schemes of central Government.

It is local groups working in partnership with local communities which are best placed to solve the problems of local communities.

In grasping this and offering the voluntary sector more influence and resources, the Conservatives could earn the support of the North-East and replace a Labour government which has left the region behind.

Nick Varley, Chester-le-Street