AS people go about their business, they shop in American-style shopping centres, buying American-style clothes. They eat in American-style takeaways, drink American beers, or go and watch American-made films.

They head home hoping they won't be killed by gangs emulating American street gangs.

They ignore the book shops, museums, libraries and other places where they can learn about their own culture before reaching home to watch television, digital or satellite channels dominated by American programmes and films.

When asked why British culture is in a mess, they pick up their paper and read the words of those on the political right who blame the left, the Liberals, the Muslims, the blacks and any other immigrants.

Yet, they ignore the dominance of American broadcasting and people's apathy towards their own culture.

HE Smith, Spennymoor, Co Durham.