THERE have been some valid points about Middlesbrough’s quest to become a city in HAS recently, but one letter (HAS, July 12) was incorrect in stating that it’s the largest town in UK without city status. Reading in Berkshire is the largest town in England, followed by Dudley in the West Midlands.

If we are to compare town size with the number of people who live in the locations, then Middlesbrough is the 12th largest English town with 142,000 inhabitants, while places such as Northampton and Luton all boast larger populations.

As a Tees Valley citizen, I wish Middlesbrough all the best in its bid to become a city. It would be nice to have another one in the north and so close to Darlington.

Christopher Wardell, Darlington.