I HAVE read on numerous occasions over the past few months concerns regarding the risks to pedestrians from cyclists in Darlington's redeveloped town centre.

On a recent shopping trip, I found very little evidence of this.

A bigger concern in my view, taking into account the recent weather, is the umbrella. I could not count the amount of times I saw people being spiked and skewered by these manufactured lances in a cover and, on one occasion, a person somewhat smaller than myself nearly lost an eye.

Surely, bearing in mind the health and safety culture as it is in this day and age, and the tendency to protect the rights of minority groups, these offensive weapons should be banned.

Kev McStravick, Darlington.