Sir, - In this village, Morton on Swale, during the last year we have been blessed with the almost continuous presence of traffic lights.

It all started when the bridge over the Swale was being refurbished. Virtually rebuilding all the stonework on the narrow bridge meant it was one-way traffic only for months and months. The queues of rush-hour traffic were backing up to Warlaby crossroads and Scruton Lane ends.

Our house has no front garden. The waiting lorries with throbbing engines and explosive hydraulics, the cars with hi-fi thumping loudly and double-decker buses whose upstairs windows gave passengers a view into our bedroom, all waited fairly patiently for lights to change. What a relief when it was finished!

Then rather like the Flanders and Swann song, the Gas Man Came To Call. How many times have they taken up the road to put in the new main? We have had months of disturbance, often with the traffic lights outside the house which comes with the added bonus of a throbbing generator.

This work is still not finished, and yet workmen are queuing up to follow on! The Water Board say they have work to do next; we certainly have had a few burst water mains as well; and the raised curbs and bus-stop work is also in progress.

Will I ever be able to open my (thankfully) double glazed bedroom windows this summer? As I sit writing this letter my house is shaking with the vibration of the work and traffic outside.

My now rather pessimistic view of the summer, (no peace from the noise in the back garden either) is anticipating a total resurfacing of the road and pavement which will be in dire distress by the time they have all finished.

Whatever happened to the Morton and Ainderby by-pass?

ANN HUTCHINGS

Red Briar,

Morton on Swale.

Unworthy of man

Sir, - I find the letter written by Simon Hart (D&S, May 10), director of the Countryside Alliance Campaign for Hunting, rather flippant and offensive.

Dogs no longer hunt in wild packs, only man does, and it is highly distasteful to many that men and women should group together, at great expense, to chase and kill with guns or dogs, another creature.

I recently saw advertised two mobile hides for sale capable of concealing six guns. The estate owner who offered them for sale breeds 10,000 birds for sportsmen to kill each year. Does Simon Hart consider this a sport worthy of the name, and should this animal slaughter be allowed? The world is a changing and the banning of all blood sports is a step in the right direction.

ROBERT WILSON

Scotthall Road,

Leeds.

Sir, - I read with dismay the letter from the Countryside Alliance's Simon Hart (D&S, May 10 ).

The RSPCA's submission to the Government on the Animal Welfare Bill was a "positive duty of care". It was not an animal "bill of rights" as stated in some media.

For the benefit of Simon Hart, here is the definition used in the RSPCA's submission: "Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind."

By adopting this "duty of care", all animal owners would have a legal responsibility to ensure that animals have adequate food and water, appropriate shelter, and access to proper veterinary treatment.

Animal owners would also be required to provide the opportunity for them to express normal behaviour and to avoid mental suffering and distress. Wishful thinking, Mr Hart.

HEATHER HOLMES

Press Officer

RSPCA Yorkshire and the North-East,

Leeds.

New Life church

Sir, - You obviously feel the need to edit reports due to lack of space. In April, the sum of money raised by the raffle at that meeting was printed as being "for the work of the New Life", when the wording should have been for the work of the New Life Baptist Church.

J A FERRY

Deputy club correspondent

Northallerton Inner Wheel Club.

Wrong theatre

Sir, - I refer to your obituary report on the late Charles Simon, founder of the Darlington Repertory Theatre (D&S, May 24).

It was the Temperance Hall Theatre which burned down, not the Theatre Royal, which was demolished and re-placed by the Regal Cinema - now the ABC. Noted actors who appeared for Simon were Wilfred Lawson and Robert Morley,

AUDREY TOWLARD

Lydd Gardens,

Thornaby-on-Tees.

Veterans in need

Sir, - I would like to draw your attention to the plight of the many ex-service men and women from the Commonwealth, particularly those in Africa and the Indian sub-continent, who fought alongside us in the last war and are now suffering severe hardship.

The British Commonwealth Ex-Services League is, currently helping over 28,000 of these veterans with the basic necessities of life - food, shelter and medicine - and the number in need is likely to rise to over 120,000 in the next few years.

Hence the need for a major appeal. The Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans, hopes to raise £5m.

If any of your readers would like to help they should send a donation to The Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans, 20 Mortlake High Street, London SW14 8JN or through www.commonwealthveterans.org.uk

Col J R P CUMBERLEGE

Woodburn Cottage,

Stillington,

York.