FIREWORKS: THE RSPCA is requesting that all those in support of tighter restraints on the use of fireworks should write to their MPs urging them to back a Private Member's Bill to control these explosives.

Fireworks cause huge distress and injury to animals. An RSPCA survey of vets in England and Wales showed that in one year alone 4,825 animals were treated for firework-related injuries and/or were prescribed sedatives because they were so frightened; 16 animals were put to sleep because of their injuries and three were believed to be the victims of deliberate attacks.

A new RSPCA report, Quiet Please, was launched on February 13 highlighting the need for a reduction in noise levels for those fireworks available for public use. This coincided with the launch of the Control of Fireworks Bill which receives its second reading on February 28.

In order for this Bill to progress through Parliament and into legislation, 100 MPs must attend and support this second reading.

So it is essential that as many people as possible write to their MP asking him or her to attend the House of Commons on February 28 and support the Bill. - David Millard, RSPCA Regional Superintendent, Yorkshire and the North-East.

EMPLOYMENT

THE recent announcement that Thorns in Spennymoor is to make 19 people redundant is another blow to the people of the town. In the past five years Spennymoor has lost more than 2,100 jobs from Black & Decker, Electrolux, Rothmans and now Thorns.

These 19 job losses nearly wipe out the 20 new jobs created in the new shops in Festival Walk. Also, with the mounting job losses, these new shops may not stay open very long if people have no money to spend.

What is needed is for Sedgefield Borough Council to become an Enterprise Zone in order to tempt businesses to set up there. - Martin Jones, Secretary, Spennymoor Liberal Democrats.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

THE BBC has some cheek in launching a search for a new national anthem (Echo, Feb 15). The anthem we have is patriotic, supportive of our Queen and above all, a central part of the tradition of this country.

The sad fact that our national anthem has been downgraded like so many more truly British things is no reason to seek a replacement. The once regular performance of the anthem at theatres, cinemas, on TV and at most public events is regrettably a thing of the past.

The suggestion that a new anthem should reflect modern Britain makes one shudder. What is it going to feature? A panegyric on the delights of our crime-ridden, litter-strewn streets? Verses in praise of our collapsing health service and education system? A chorus in praise of our green fields disappearing beneath ever-expanding towns and cities?

Hands off, BBC. Leave our national anthem alone and sack the person who came up with the daft idea of writing a new one. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

THE article on regional assemblies, saying they will not be forced on the public (Echo, Feb 21) only serves to strengthen the case against regionalisation.

Lord Rooker (Local Government and Regions Minister) says that people will not be pushed into backing assemblies at the ballot box, but will make up their minds on the issues.

If the issues are misleadingly represented by the pro camp, and sensible open debate is deliberately suppressed, not only does this show contempt for the electorate, but is also an abuse of the democratic process.

The repeated denials that the regionalisation plans are in any way EU led only reinforces the growing awareness that this is the case. - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool Branch.

AWARDS CEREMONIES

I AM surely not alone in being nauseated by the incessant orgies of self-glorification the glitterati are so fond of. I mean, there never seems to be a time the Brits, the Baftas or umpteen others are not being held.

I believe that, far from deserving praise and adulation, such people exercise a profoundly pernicious influence in terms of their personal lives, which, in my view, has a lot to do with the moral squalor of selfish individualism we see at all levels of society today. - T Kelly, Crook.

WATERAID

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Northumbrian Water customers who gave so generously to our WaterAid appeal.

The appeal, which was launched in February last year, raised £15,000 which means that 1,500 more people now have a clean, safe and reliable water supply for life.

Money raised from the 2002 appeal has helped communities throughout Africa and Asia to improve their own water supplies through low-cost self-help schemes using simple and practical technologies.

The average cost per person of supplying a safe village water supply, combined with sanitation and hygiene education, is less than £15.

WaterAid is Northumbrian Water's adopted international charity. From next week Northumbrian Water will be sending out one million water bills and enclosed will be a WaterAid leaflet and an opportunity for our customers to donate money to this very worthwhile cause.

Another way of making a donation is by sending a cheque made payable to WaterAid Northumbria to Julie Wilson, Northumbrian Water, Durham House, Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5FJ.

Your support really is appreciated. - John Mowbray, Chairman, WaterAid Northumbria.

CORRECTION

BECAUSE of an input error, a letter from Mr A Clarke (HAS, Feb 11) said that Bishop Auckland was not a ghost town. In fact, Mr Clarke was making the point that Bishop Auckland was NOW a ghost town. We apologise for the error.