IN JULY there was a Parliamentary by election in the Sedgefield constituency. The biggest community in that seat is Newton Aycliffe. The Labour candidate, Phil Wilson, made promises when he was campaigning. He said he would save the Newton Aycliffe town centre.

But what has he done in the last four months?

I was in Newton Aycliffe at the weekend and I saw more empty shops and another closing down sale. There are no signs of a revival.

There is no action from the Labour-controlled local authority.

I worked in Newton Aycliffe some years ago and again recently. My late brother Peter ran a highly successful solicitors' practice in Newton Aycliffe town centre for 15 years. He always complained about the high rents. I understand the rent for property there is still ridiculously high. The rent and commercial rates are putting independent traders out of business.

Unless this problem is addressed the town centre will empty.

Come on Mr Wilson. Can we have less talk and more action? What are you going to do about it? Let's see you make good on some of these promises you made.

Nigel Boddy, Darlington.