ONE NorthEast figures show that 57,300 students went to North-East universities during 1992-3. In the year 1999-2000, this rose to 79,200, an increase of 21,900 or 38 per cent.

If student tuition fees were abolished, we could increase further the numbers of students who gain academic qualifications.

However, many students find it difficult to gain local employment to match their qualifications and migrate to the south. The Government needs to match investments in training and education with industrial investment to help us retain the younger generation of workers in our region.

The North has lost many of its major industries. In Spennymoor, we have lost Rothmans and the Electrolux refrigeration plant. These job losses hit the local economy, the shops and pubs. In the longer term, it will increase levels of social deprivation unless the Government acts fast to give help to boost the local economy.

I support the calls for a £45m package urged by the TUC. This region is losing too many jobs to the Far East economy at the same time as our levels of inward investment are decreasing. The Government should consider applying import controls and updating the Barnett Formula. - Councillor Ben Ord, Liberal Democrat, Spennymoor Ward, Sedgefield Borough Council.

DURHAM CITY COUNCIL

MEMBERS of Durham City's Labour Group will always condemn the use of racist behaviour and support reference of any substantiated complaints of a breach of the council's code of conduct, to the Local Government Standards Board.

If Liberal Democrat County Councillor Nigel Martin (HAS, July 1) has any evidence of racist behaviour by any member of the council, I urge him to report it to the Standards Board. In the meantime, he should refrain from making irresponsible party political points based on rumour and innuendo. - M Bennett, Durham City Labour Group.

SINGLE CURRENCY

THE advert launched this week by the anti-euro no campaign marks a turning point in the euro debate. The advert features Bob Geldof, Harry Enfield, Jools Holland, Rik Mayall and Johnny Vaughan among others.

The film, which will be seen by over five million people in cinemas across the country, is aimed at younger voters who have been turned off by conventional politics. Only 39 per cent of 18-25 year olds voted in the last General Election. The film uses celebrities to get across a serious point - that joining the euro is not "inevitable" as pro-euro groups claim - and that the choice is in the hands of the young voters.

The film also features business people and people from eurozone countries who argue that the euro would be bad for jobs and living standards.

The pro-euro lobby has, in the past, tried to portray the no campaign as old fuddy-duddies - those who took part in this film did not do so to win in the popularity stakes, they did so, to quote Tony Parsons, "Because it was the right thing to do. Because it would have been gutless not to."

As the deadline for any possible euro referendum gets closer, the anti-euro campaign is broadening out into a popular coalition bringing together business people, politicians of all parties, and non-political figures from all walks of life. The Government refuses to talk about the euro - but the no campaign intend to start the debate anyway. - Lilian Mains, Council Member, Business for Sterling North East.

IT is a serious mistake to think that there is nobody who can be held accountable for their decisions and actions in the EU. The entire European Union is created by law and it pursues its objectives purely by means of law.

The common economic and social life of member states is governed, not by the threat of force, but by the law of the community, freely entered into.

It sometimes sounds as if some letter writers on your pages want to elect the director of the European Central Bank before they can trust it. Well, when did anyone here last elect the director of the Bank of England?

That is simply not how things are done, even in a constitutional democracy like the UK. - E Whittaker, Richmond.

RAY MALLON

RAY Mallon's new column (Echo, July 7) was like music to my ears. Councillors getting brought to book, reduction and accountability of expenses, targets for achievement.

Welcome to the real world councillors, you've had it too easy for too long.

As an ex-serviceman, I squared my shoulders and pushed out my chest as I read about setting and leading by example. No doubt these words will be alien to those within council departments.

If you need someone to march them around a parade ground until they conform then I am your boy Ray. I'd do it 365 days a year free of charge. In fact, I'd pay you for the privilege. Then press-ups for every wrongly filled in expense claim. Now we're talking. - Jim Tague, Chairman, Conservative Party, Bishop Auckland Branch.

CROP CIRCLES

I ENJOY a mystery, so I set off on my bicycle to investigate the crop circle at Barton. The centre circle is 40 yards in diameter with symmetrical 'leaves' beyond the perimeter.

I found evidence that showed it to be of earthly origin. In fact, the perpetrators left behind the plank of wood with cord attached which flattened the wheat.

Ah well. Back to the drawing board. - GE Webster, Darlington.