I AM writing to condemn comments made by Darlington Borough Council leader Bill Dixon regarding the Mayor and Gerald Lee Park (Echo, July 28).

Gerald Lee is one of the nicest people on Darlington Borough Council. He was so friendly to me when I was elected in 2011 and I continue to value his friendship. He has made an enormous contribution to Darlington and County Durham and is a hard working and highly respected councillor and now Mayor of Darlington.

The park should be named after him.

Cllr Alan Macnab, Darlington.

I CANNOT understand how a new park in Darlington has created so much controversy just because it was named after the mayor, Gerald Lee (Echo, July 28).

Council leader, Bill Dixon, disapproves of the naming of Gerald Lee Small Park on Victoria Road.

I am not fussed whether the park is named after a Conservative or Labour politician, because the local residents have created something out of nothing and turned a plot of land into something of interest.

Not all of us have an interest in politics, so well done to everyone involved.

Well played, folks. You have all created something of interest and what looks like a special little place.

Christopher Wardell, Darlington.