THE editorial comment on Saturday (Echo, May 12) was unbelievably disappointing.

Its entire tone was downbeat and implying that the Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen, has done nothing but spin and score political points all year.

Given the initiatives he has supported right across the Tees Valley in his first year including infrastructure, employment and heritage, surely some support is appropriate.

Too many of our local politicians do nothing but spread doom and gloom. Ben is a breath of fresh air with his positive, can-do approach.

In his first year speech of course he rightly name checked all the Conservative party support and levers he has pulled but he also included crediting all the local council leaders, as well as others, for getting to where we are.

His positive PR is a welcome change and hopefully will see all residents of the Tees Valley given a vision and hope for a better future. The time for reflection and critical appraisal is when he looks for re-election.

In the meantime it would be nice if the Echo could choose to use its powerful position to attempt to turbo charge his efforts to improve our area instead of attaching an anchor to hold him back.

Paul Howell, Darlington