POSTAL VOTES: LIKE Dr Alan Bell of Trimdon (HAS, May 9) I too became concerned on receiving my postal vote when I found the number printed on the form I had to sign - in front of a witness - was also printed on the back of the form. I had to put my cross/vote on, making it possible for the Government to find out who I didn't vote for.

Should I in future be afraid of the midnight knock?

People who lived in Nazi Germany and after the war in East Germany know what that ominous phrase means: "We should remember them". - June Griffiths, Middlesbrough.

48-HOUR WEEK

IT would seem likely that the EU is now to take steps to limit the working time for UK workers to 48 hours per week. Essentially, I feel there is little wrong with working longer hours, on a voluntary basis. However, if a statutory limit is now imposed then employers can have no-one to blame but themselves.

On numerous occasions I have attended for interview prior to which I have been required to sign the 48-hours 'waiver', at which point it has been implicit that, should I fail to sign, then the interview would be nothing other than a charade as there was no likelihood of my being offered a job without my signature on this document.

Such a request is made with cynical and blatant disregard to the 48-hour directive by unscrupulous employers, and if they now find they have no option but operate a 48-hour working week maximum, I can only comment that they have brought it upon themselves. - Name and address supplied.

SPLENDID PARK

HOW wonderful that GJ Coates (HAS, May 12) has re-discovered the delights of North Lodge Park, Darlington, which is a little gem right in the middle of the town.

It never ceases to surprise me how many people from all over the town have very happy memories of playing in, living near and/or passing through the park.

The council has this year been spending the £250,000 Lottery grant it obtained on things like a new play area, CCTV camera, lighting, some new paths and boarding up the bandstand.

There is also a Writer in Residence, Maureen Almond (Readings Round the Bandstand, May 25, 11am) and some artwork to be installed. This summer there will be lots more flowers in the park too.

The Friends group run events in the Park (Circus Tryout, May 30) and provide Mollie's Famous Refreshments and crafts. There are many more things we would like to do with more time, expertise and money. New members are always welcome, especially if they would like to get involved in running things.

Whatever your skills we can probably make use of them. Contact the treasurer, Colin, at 33 North Lodge Terrace, or Yvonne on 07790 930640. - Yvonne Richardson, Chair, Friends of North Lodge Park.

GIDEON BIBLES

JIM Wilkinson's Saturday Sermon (Echo, May 7) gives us a very timely warning about our liberty to speak and write freely about what we believe is being eroded, or even removed altogether.

He cites the threat of closure of a Christian hostel because it dares to have Bibles in the rooms and guests say grace before meals. He suggests the possible ban on Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms and other establishments.

Well, it's already fact. In some places, Gideon Bibles have been removed for fear of offending people of other religions.

What is happening to this country? Since when has it been a crime to speak out for one's Christian faith? If people such as John Wesley were alive today they'd no doubt have endless forms to fill in and permits to apply for before being allowed to preach in the streets.

In fact, they would probably be in prison for daring to proclaim Jesus Christ as the one and only Saviour.

Mr Wilkinson is right to ask: "are we going mad?" The answer is yes, when ordinary Christians are prevented from telling of their faith for fear of giving offence to somebody who holds different beliefs.

There's no need to gag or imprison someone for speaking out for what they believe is true. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

IRAQ TERROR

I WONDER how much the Iraqi terrorists are influenced by the media faithfully reporting the daily toll of bombings in Iraq.

Would the terrorists perhaps stop bombing their own people if the TV news never reported their terrible deeds? - FM Atkinson, Shincliffe.

BORDER LINE

THE sorry state of affairs concerning the North-East's political representation in Parliament at Westminster highlighted by Peter Wilson (HAS, May 10) will feel a whole lot worse if Gordon Brown takes over from Tony Blair.

Then we will be in the invidious position of having a Prime Minister who is not only a Scotsman but also whose constituency seat is in Scotland, which is a country with its own Parliament and which makes some of its own laws.

We will then have unfair situations where Brown will be able - with the help of his friends, the Scottish Westminster Labour MPs - to push through policies which will affect all of England, but not the people he represents.

And they call it democracy.

Can you still get to Australia for £10? - J Routledge, Durham.

VOTE OF THANKS

I am writing to thank all those in Richmond who voted Liberal Democrat in the General Election.

Although I did not win, the Liberal Democrat percentage vote largely held up, in contrast to that of Labour's in the face of William Hague's increased majority. - Jacquie Bell, Liberal Democrats, Richmond.

I WOULD like to thank those people who voted for me and the Liberal Democrats and also to everyone in Darlington who voted.

On a separate note, I would point out that, across the country, the Liberal Democrats got about a quarter of the votes but only have a tenth of the seats in Parliament. Do your readers agree with me that the country deserves a fairer voting system? - Robert Adamson, Darlington.

ON behalf of the Senior Citizens Party, I would like to thank the 97 people who took the trouble to vote for me. It proves that somebody cares about pensioners.

As a card-carrying member of the Labour Party, it hurts me to stand against my leader, Tony Blair, but his seat was never in peril.

But perhaps he will get the message. - Terry Pattinson, Chertsey, Surrey.

BAD LANGUAGE

I HAVE visited to your very fine town and was impressed with it.

The only down side was the language of the young people - even those who had small children with them.

It is time a law was made to stop this language being used. - Name and address supplied.