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TOMMY MILLER

FORGET the recent big signings like Zidane, Veron and Southgate. Surely the biggest football transfer of the moment has to be Tommy Miller's move from Hartlepool to Ipswich Town.

The transfer is straight from the comic book world of Roy of The Rovers. Tommy first stepped onto the Victoria Park pitch back in January 1988 as a starry eyed nine-year-old club mascot for a third FA Cup Tie, 'Pool v Luton. Since then he has progressed from kicking a football around the streets of Shotton Colliery to, ironically, an unsuccessful spell as a youth at Ipswich.

On his return to Hartlepool under the guidance of Chris Turner and his backroom staff, he has delighted the 'Pool faithful with his amazing dribbling skills, accurate passing, his ability to beat his man and to score goals from a midfield position. In an era where players are armed with a posse of agents and inflated egos, Tom's recent performances have been closely monitored by big club scouts with increasing speculation of "big money moves". He has managed to concentrate on his football, an attribute which I am sure can be credited to the influence of his dad, Tommy Miller Snr.

Although Tommy's dazzling array of skills will be sadly missed at 'Pool, it is now time for young Miller to prove himself at a higher level, in a plum move which will undoubtedly suit him as well as Hartlepool United. - PW Smith, Sherburn Hill, Durham.

ANIMAL WELFARE

RUTH Campbell (Echo, July 13) begrudges some (rare) help given by Blackpool's Victoria Hospital staff to a gorilla with a tumour.

Does she never give a thought to the millions of laboratory animals (all species including the ape family) who suffer every day for us humans to find cures for our various illnesses - many self-inflicted, by smoking, drinking, over-eating, eating the wrong foods, or living unhealthy lifestyles.

We use/abuse animals in so many ways - to eat, wear, guide, guard and amuse us - there's hardly a household in the land that doesn't really owe a big thank-you to non-human animals for all they do for us.

A bit more justice, love and respect for the animal creation wouldn't come amiss. And sentimentality doesn't come into it. - EM Johnson, Crook.

CONSERVATIVES

THERE is much glee over the Government's defeat in Parliament over the Select Committee sackings.

What happened in Parliament last week was actually a victory for democracy and proof that Tony Blair is not a dictator.

Last week's vote was a free vote. No dictator ever gave anyone anything free, and the result proved that we have a very democratic Labour Government.

It also emerged last week that the Tories have more spin doctors than Labour, a fact exposed by Tory spin doctor Amanda Platell who told us of the behind-the-scenes back stabbing and the fact that the Tories were not fighting Labour but were plotting the downfall of their own leader.

Personal attacks do not go down too well with the electorate, especially as Tony Blair is seen as a genuinely nice man, highly intelligent and above all honest.

If the Tories cannot come up with anyone better than jail 'em, flog 'em, hang 'em Iain Duncan Smith, they will be in the wilderness for many years to come.

The reason for the poor turn out at the election is that no one has anything to complain about. - J Pryce, Durham City.

MOTORING

LIFE is not easy for Britain's motorists and it looks like it is going to be made more miserable by having the number of speed cameras doubled.

The Government will receive millions from what is raised by speed cameras. What does it do with the vast amount of money it takes from motorists, because it is plain to see a lot of it is not spent on the roads because many are still inadequate, littered with potholes and many have cracks in them?

The motorist is also still being taken for a rise over petrol prices. Last autumn, crude oil was about 30 dollars a barrel and petrol went beyond 80p per litre and there was a national revolt.

Today's crude oil price is down to around 25 dollars a barrel, but petrol is still around 77p per litre.

BP, which has often claimed that it makes little money on its UK stations because of high taxation, is buying 2,650 filling stations in Germany where motorists still pay about 61p per litre, but BP says it will still make more money in Germany than in Britain.

Are you listening Gordon Brown? This Government is nothing more than a nest of vampires which is bleeding the body and soul out of the motorist and everyone else trying to make a decent living. - T E Crook, Bishop Auckland.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH

It comes as something of s surprise that Hugh Pender (HAS, July 7) can think there are any good farmers, after his wild unproven accusations that farmers started and spread foot- and-mouth.

While farmers may not be altogether blameless, this is out-weighed many, many times by his beloved Government's mismanagements. The Government was implored months before the current outbreak to prevent food from countries endemic with foot-and- mouth entering Britain. Other countries do this as a matter of routine.

The inquiry into the 1967 outbreak concluded that all resources must be brought to bear immediately in the slaughter and disposal of affected animals. The Army, some vets, hunt slaughterers and unemployed were not brought in until weeks later as the Government tried to sweep the crisis under the carpet.

The 1967 report made specific recommendations that burial with quicklime be preferred to burning, this was not adhered to because of regulations from Brussels.

Fortunately, I think the general public do not share Mr Pender's derisory views and I thank them for their co-operation, concern and support, during such difficult times for everyone involved in the countryside. - JW Heslop, Gainford.