I CONDEMN the actions of the two children involved in the blaze that destroyed the Adan House surgery in Spennymoor and it is clear that the father of one of the boys is sincere in his apology for his child’s actions (Echo, March 8).

We are told the children concerned clearly regret their actions. It seems to me the only way they can redeem themselves is to keep out of trouble, get an education and do something positive with their life which will make their family and town proud.

But in Spennymoor one of the commonest complaints is of the absence of play facilities for young children. While there are play facilities within the former council estates, private housing developers have for decades built those estates without play facilities for children.

Where play facilities do exist they are far too distant for young children to use. This not only leaves me wondering if this incident would have happened if these children had somewhere to play, but it also highlights the need for all housing developments to include facilities for the young and teenagers.

CT Riley, Spennymoor, Co Durham.