WITH regard to the “fishy” smell that Harold Evans noticed in the area in the Sixties, it occurred during the 30 years that I worked in Stockton and lived in Kirklevington (Echo, Sept 25).

The smell was known as the “Tom Cat” smell.

My work caused me to often fly from Teesside airport.

Returning, we often circled around Teesside before landing.

The source of the mist carrying the smell was outstandingly obvious, it was from an ICI tower in Billingham.

ICI finally put a filtration unit on the top of the tower to eliminate the mist and smell.

One year, during the smell, we were returning from a weekend in the Lake District when we encountered the smell at Askrigg in Wensleydale. A strong east wind had carried it so far.

Don Whitfield, Darlington.

SOMETHING not touched on in Chris Lloyd’s articles (Echo, Sept 24-26) was that while Harold Evans was editor of The Northern Echo, he gave stout defence of Hear All Sides contributors.

The column had been the subject of a BBC news item and Evans was asked: “Do you support the letter-writers?” He replied: “Yes, I certainly do.”

LD Wilson, Guisborough.