Sir, - I recently saw advertised a post with the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership. It was for a community safety co-ordinator with a salary of about £22,000 depending on experience..

I have two degrees and a couple of diplomas and about 50 years experience of employment and I do not understand for what we are paying £22,000. Perhaps a teenager would like to explain to me.

Richmond is on its uppers and it needs action and not more committees, partnerships or consultants who charge us the earth to tell us what we already know. Stop creating managers and employ a few more workers - like bobbies on the beat.

Dr DAVID BRADFORD

Bolton Avenue,

Richmond.

Euro obfuscation

Sir, - In his usual obfuscated anti-euro tirade (D&S,Feb 1) Mr Callanan, Conservative MEP for the North-East, left out the fact that both Spain and Belgium, including the Spanish Prime Minister, are well established in the euro-zone and that the euro will be the only legal tender in both countries from next month.

None of the 12 member states have lost political accountability in their own Parliaments, nor would Britain do so. Mr Callanan is grossly misleading the public of the North-East with his selective disinformation and being economical with the truth.

OLLY ANDRLA

Press officer, Vale of York Labour Party (North Branch)

Thirsk.

Who needs it?

Sir, - With reference to Mr Whittaker's "Euro facts" letter, (D&S, Feb 1) many of us have been coping with francs, pesetas etc for many years with no problems and without feeling the need to write to your newspaper to urge people to "become better acquainted" with them. Why is the euro different?

Of more concern than that trivial matter is how those countries which have abandoned their currencies are to control their economies, now that they can no longer individually adjust their bank rate. Germany, for example, would probably welcome suggestions from Mr Whittaker.

S MATTHEWS

Wynd Close,

Hutton Rudby.

Town and bird

Sir, - Though the name "Richmond" became widely favoured particularly in countries of the former British Empire, I was surprised when my wife discovered that the striking and colourful Cardinal bird belonged to the genus "Richmondeninae". Surely an appropriate name for a bird of such considerable beauty.

DAVID MORRIS

Prior Avenue,

Richmond.

Cousin sought

Sir, - A friend (Mrs Iris Harvey, nee Clark), who now lives in Jamaica, has asked me if I can trace her cousin. His name is Derrick Stratton and she believes that he was at one time a schoolteacher in the Yarm area. I have had no success with the schools in Yarm and wonder if any of your readers know of Mr Stratton's whereabouts. She would very much like to hear from you.

ANNE KAY

The Stables,

Worsall Road,

Yarm TS15 9EF.