WHEN Helen Goodman, the Labour candidate in Bishop Auckland, suggested people would be astonished at potential A&E facilities being built at Durham (Echo, Apr 1), I might respond by suggesting that it is equally astonishing to find that Bishop Auckland hospital had a capital cost of £67m and a PFI cost to the taxpayer of around £320m.

I was truly astonished after reading Ms Goodman’s election leaflet, particularly the section written by “Dr Heather Smith, a Retired Doctor”. I don’t suppose that’s the same Dr Heather Smith who is a Labour councillor in Evenwood. Just thought it might be useful to know about the impartiality of the content.

And I was completely taken aback to see her taking the credit for saving the paintings in Auckland Castle. I thought that was Jonathan Ruffer, the man who sank millions of pounds into the castle from his own pocket!

Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.