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SIR - Independent Durham County Councillor John Shuttleworth suggests a revolution may happen if council tax is hiked by up to 265 per cent. A revolution - what an excellent idea.

Council tax is now a stealth tax. The Treasury holds down funding levels to local government. Local government, year on year, sets council taxes at increasingly high levels.

We are often told that Labour's guiding principles are fairness, equality and liberty, and that these principles are to be applied everywhere. But are council tax payers given value for money? No. Services in this Northern region are among the worst in the nation. Study any league table.

A revolution should happen. I suggest householders in the county hold a county tax strike until:

a) the county council agrees to hold a referendum to allow the electorate to determine council tax levels. This was done by Bristol's Labour-controlled council to the satisfaction of the people of that city.

b) the county council demands and receives public services funding allocations for the Northern region to match at least that which is provided to Scotland.

Scotland is a Government-favoured nation. Healthcare spending is £220 per capita higher in Scotland than in the Northern region, education spending is £210 per capita higher and transport spending £115 per capita higher.

The Celts achieved a better deal from Government by frequent whingeing. We in the North should take direct action by withholding money until a fair deal is achieved for the people of the region.

The North led a revolt against high levels of fuel tax and sent a shock wave through Whitehall. Blair's Government was hurt - high time they were hurt again.

Brian Clouston, Durham City

Rare nature site

SIR - Durham Wildlife Trust has agreed the purchase of 12 acres of land known as Town Kelloe Bank. The land will be managed as a nature reserve.

Town Kelloe Bank is one of the most extensive areas of primary magnesian limestone in Britain and is of international importance. The purchase of such an important site will make Durham Wildlife Trust one of the major conservation landowners and managers of primary magnesian limestone grassland in the UK.

Globally, there are approximately 240 hectares of magnesian limestone, 70 per cent of which is found in County Durham and southern Tyne and Wear.

Magnesian limestone grassland occurs on outcrops of the stone which was laid down about 255 million years ago when shallow seas covered the UK. It is rich in species and particularly important for its botanical interest. Characteristic plant species include blue moor grass, fragrant orchid, bird's-eye primrose and rock rose. The Durham Argus butterfly is found in good numbers at Town Kelloe. The Trust has launched a special appeal to raise funds to purchase and manage Town Kelloe Bank nature reserve. We have set a target of £30,000.

If you would like to help the Trust by contributing to our appeal I would be extremely grateful to hear from you. Any amount will be welcome and should be sent to the address below.

The devastating effects of 2001's foot-and mouth-disease outbreak will be felt for a long time to come. During 2002 we hope for better times. The addition of Town Kelloe Bank nature reserve provides a wonderful opportunity to begin a new chapter in the life of, Durham Wildlife Trust.

Richard Wood Chief Executive Durham Wildlife Trust Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor Houghton-le-Spring DH4 6PU

Good Samaritans

SIR - On January 29 I was walking down Crossgate, Durham, and tripped on a very uneven flagstone. I fell over, cutting my nose and bruising my face, arms and knees.

An elderly gentleman came to my aid, also a young man in his 30s on his way back to work.

The young man stayed with me while the other gentleman got his car and took me home. Neither would give me their names or addresses, but I am truly grateful for their kindness.

I am 75 years of age and the paving stones and granite blocks are a nightmare.

R R Grass, Durham

We'll not forget Tories

SIR - Re the letter in the Advertiser week ending February 2 from D Halford, Chester-le-Street.

The people of Chester-le-Street learnt their mistakes many years ago. The name Tory will never get the vote in Chester-le-Street.

We never forgot the closing of the mines, the shipyards and the steelworks. We never forgot the poll tax.

What we do remember is the £200 fuel allowance for pensioners, the free TV licence for people over 75.

Mr Halford, our fathers and grandfathers don't forget the Tories and Chester-le-Street never will.

Lawrie Brown, Chester-le-Street

Great day out

SIR - May I, though your paper, thank Debby, Jim and Audrey from Age Concern in Chester-le-Street for an absolutely wonderful afternoon on Tuesday, January 28. They arranged for a groups of OAPs, some in wheelchairs, with transport to Harry Ramsden's where we had a meal and were entertained with a sing-a-long of old songs. It was a great get-together and I'm sure I speak for all who were there.

Harriet Robinson,Chester-le-Street

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