I MUST remark on the headline used by The Northern Echo on the first day of the Northern Rock crisis. I buy this paper because it is usually informative and balanced.

"Northern Rock crisis as money runs out" cannot be described in this vein (Echo, Sept 14).

The facts of the matter were glossed over. Northern Rock needed the money to loan out, not to cover the deposits of savers. Indeed, Northern Rock had recently increased the rate on its bond offering, probably in an attempt to attract more savers.

The media in general here have been very irresponsible (as have the board of Northern Rock) but I did expect better of the Echo.

David Griffiths, Darlington.

I WAS also shocked by Ant and Dec poking fun at Northern Rock (HAS, Sept 27). Maybe if their life savings were with the company they wouldn't have been so flippant.

Maybe they would be interested to know that I switched them off.

M Prouse, Redcar.