Sir, - I read in that Capt Eric Reed of St George Flight Training, Teesside airport, considers himself to be unjustly accused of non co-operation with the local authority and consultative committee in the matter of low or nuisance flying (D&S, Aug 4).

I cannot imagine a less likely culprit than Capt Reed. I have flown with him on a number of occasions, and hired his aircraft for my own use. I have seldom met an aviation professional with more respect for the rules and regulations, and for imparting that respect to others, than he. In fact, less kind aviators than myself might accuse him of being pedantic about such things.

Although a private pilot, I am not an advocate for the aviation community. I have occasionally complained about poor service within some flying establishments over the years, but never at Teesside. In fact the standards exhibited by Capt Reed's organisation, and indeed the other two flight centres at Teesside I have flown with, Cleveland Flying School and Teesside Flight Centre, are without doubt of the highest degree. (I have experience of many others, both UK and abroad).

I am not writing this as a friend of Capt Reed. In fact I have had no contact with him for some time, but anybody who would doubt his aviation professionalism, and his respect for air law, would get a tough argument from me. I suggest that the reason he has stated that such claims should be aired in a court of law, is because it is the correct procedure, as laid down in the regulations. He will also know that he would emerge exonerated.

Because such an accusation is so obviously fatuous, I cannot help but wonder whether there is some other agenda going on here. I well remember, on other occasions, when ambitious politicians supported by local pressure groups succeeded in ridding themselves of the very light aircraft operators who helped the airport stay in business when the going wasn't so good as it is now. They were gradually encouraged to leave, in favour of the holiday operators etc who in fact would not have had a runway to land on if the light aircraft operators hadn't been there much earlier, doing their bit to keep the airport open.

I do hope this is not the case at Teesside. When we board the big jets for destinations afar do we realise that the person at the pointy end was mostly probably a student of the very type of organisation operated so assiduously by the likes of Capt Reed and his colleagues ?

ROBERT KELL

Richmond.

Enough is enough

Sir, - Reports of unacceptable behaviour continue to pour in from towns, cities and villages daily.

From Easington to Great Ayton to New Marske and all points north, south, east and west, loutish and yobbish acts are recorded.

The cost to you and I for vandalism is estimated in misery and millions of pounds. It has gone on now for so many years it is becoming a way of life.

It is a small minority we are told and therefore can be dealt with, but in reality it is growing and we appear to be powerless to deal with it and its causes.

Tolerance levels have risen yearly and instead of nipping unacceptable behaviour in the bud its just spreading, leaving one wondering where and when its coming to an end.

Each week I read and hear about people and organisations in despair about lists of incidents as long as your arm. What in heaven's name is going on? Are we prepared to sit back and accept this intolerable situation? Let us win back so many things we are losing, before they totally disappear - let us say and mean, enough is enough.

H FOSTER

Neile Close,

Romanby,

Northallerton.

Hospital future

Sir, - May I clarify an issue raised in your report on the Richmondshire forum discussion on health (D&S, Aug 4).

People are now much more aware of the unsuitability of Northallerton hospital to serve Richmondshire. Accident and emergency patients are dissatisfied with the new "cut-finger" units, particularly as they close at 4pm.

Our campaign questions the sell-by date claim for the Duchess of Kent hospital at Catterick Garrison. Let us have the facts.

It was also stated at the meeting, that after the MoD use ceases, the buildings are likely to go on being used. For what? Refurbished and reopened as a private hospital?

Coun TONY PELTON

Duchess of Kent Hospital Campaign

High Green,

Catterick.

Bridge points

Sir, - With reference to the question raised regarding the cavity in the damaged Mercury Bridge (D&S, Aug 4), it was in preparation to blow up the bridge if the country was invaded by the Germans.

I can remember as a schoolboy with just a few months of schooling left before leaving, standing on the bridge with school friends watching soldiers drilling through the road and into the central pier.

The Green Bridge was also mined, but in its case the shaft was drilled in at ground level at the south end and the downstream side of the bridge. At the time my age group little knew we too would be called to serve the country before the war was to end.

W A G WARD

Cravengate Nurseries,

Richmond.