Sir, - Residents of Teesdale might harbour some lingering hope that the worthy members of their district council would devote their time and energy dealing with a number of pressing problems affecting those living in the Dale.

Ah perhaps not so, for it seems that the council annual meeting, usually a fairly placid affair, deteriorated into an acrimonious wrangle on the wisdom, or not, of having a leader of the council.

Why now one might ask? Surely things have gone along quite nicely without one. I suppose in a way they have, but it seems that various councillors, stung by an Audit Commission report, and advice from consultants that the authority lacked leadership and accountability, felt now was the time for an another figurehead in addition to the council chairman.

So the net result of the "heated debate" was that Coun Phil Hughes was elected leader, but only on the casting vote of the chairman, with 16 out of the 32 members refusing to take part.

Coun Hughes described it as an historic moment. The residents of Teesdale may well feel that it is much ado about nothing. The truth is that all this sort of thing is a legacy of the 1974 reform of local government when urban and rural councils were swept away, and a lot of local worthies found that at a stroke their power had gone.

Harold Wilson, pragmatic to the end, implemented that portion of the Bains report which allowed some former urban areas to have successor town councils, thus enabling someone to stroll around as Town Mayor with a chain of office around their necks.

Incoming borough and district councils could not allow town councils to dominate so they fought back with, in the case of borough Mayors, and district chairmen, with additional council leaders. Of course all this could be academic for waiting in the wings is that even larger piece of bureaucratic nonsense - the regional assembly, favoured by Derek Foster MP and other as yet another glorious gravy train.

With a bit of luck the level-headed people of the North-East will strangle that one at birth.

ARTHUR BARKER

Ullathorne Rise,

Startforth,

Barnard Castle.

Thanks

Sir, - The North Yorkshire Retired Greyhound Trust - the local charity dedicated to finding homes for ex-racing greyhounds - would like to thank all those who supported its recent "Meet and Greet" session at Thirsk Tesco.

We raised £240 which will go directly towards the welfare and upkeep costs of greyhounds kept in kennels whilst homes are being found. It was also a great opportunity to let people know about the work we do and the urgent need to support retired greyhounds. Contrary to popular misconceptions they make excellent pets, being gentle, loving and able to adapt to most types of lifestyle. You'd be surprised how suitable your home could be for a greyhound.

If you would like to find out more about the North Yorkshire Retired Greyhound Trust or think you could provide a home for one of these dogs, please call us on 01845 526 024 or visit our website at www.communigate. co.uk/ryedale/northyorkshirergt

KAREN FRASER

North Yorkshire Retired Greyhound Trust,

Thirsk.

Sir, - David Blades and Stanley Nash wish to thank all those who elected them as district councillors for the Northallerton Broomfield ward, and also to assure voters of their support for everyone in the ward.

S NASH

Borrowby Avenue,

Northallerton.

Sir, - May I thank all the voters in the Romanby ward who voted for me in the recent Hambleton District Council elections.

I look forward to continuing to serve all the electorate with commitment, over the next four years.

PETER G BROWN

St Stephens Gardens,

Northallerton.

Cruel to lobsters

Sir, - I write to inform readers of the cruel sale of live lobsters at Makro stores across the country.

Animal Aid - the UK's largest animal rights organisation - is campaigning against this practice, on the basis that it can cause extreme suffering and distress to the lobsters.

The lobsters in Makro are kept in cramped conditions, and piled on top of each other - a sight that is surely distressing even for those without animal welfare concerns.

Lobsters are intelligent creatures, who have highly developed systems of both smell and taste and use complicated signals to determine any changes in their home environment. In the wild they can live to be 100.

BECKY LILLY

Campaigns Officer, Animald Aid,

London