I HAVE recently spent a week in Darlington.

Having been born and bred in the town, but having left in the early Eighties, I must say I was very disappointed with the state of the old girl.

I can’t think of any other town I have visited which was so dirty, with dog mess, cigarette ends and litter everywhere.

The town never had any money, but when I lived here it at least the residents had some pride in its appearance – pride which seems to have gone.

In the current economic climate, if I was thinking of investing in the town I would take one look and think, “It’s obvious the people don’t care about the place, so why should I bother?”

Peter Fenwick, London.