I AM am sure that an excellent case will be made for Tees Valley becoming the City of Culture in 2025. If successful it would attract more visitors and further diversify what we have to offer.

The local authorities would be able to work closely together because they would recognise a common aim. The proposed combined authority would share a common cause and hopefully more people would be encouraged to participate.

I am proud to live in this area and I got particular pleasure reading in The Northern Echo the reference to the Billingham Folklore Festival as an example of the case there to be made.

We need to be able to share ambition for our area’s future and this bid provides us with the opportunity to do that.

G Bulmer, Billingham

THE announcement that Teesside is to bid to be UK City of Culture 2025 is excellent news.

It is a great example of the sort of inspirational aim and activity that the area so badly needs.

Vitally, this is underpinned by the co-operation of the five local authorities and other key institutions and organisations.

Such an approach not only offers the best chance of success in this bid but models the behaviours that would work well in so many other endeavours key to the development of the area.

For me, the only counter-cultural element in this good news story is the use of "‘Tees Valley"’ as an umbrella term for the area.

It simply isn’t recognised by and doesn’t resonate with the people of the area and others who will be key audiences.

It isn’t even a geographically accurate descriptor.

May I suggest that "‘Greater Teesside’" would be a better alternative?

Simply, this extends a concept that most are already familiar and identify with and in naming terms "‘does what it says on the tin"’ effectively and appropriately.

With just the addition of an exclamation mark it becomes its own logo, brand and rallying cry.

John Powls, Reading