COULD I just add my congratulations to all involved in saving the 480 civil servants jobs at Mowden Hall, in Darlington (Echo, Apr 25).

I have been following the campaign in The Northern Echo run in conjunction with my colleague Darlington Borough Council leader Bill Dixon.

It is a tremendous achievement to save these jobs and all involved deserve our thanks.

The front page Northern Echo article showing four red ticks was very appropriate – the top tick for saving 480 jobs, one for the £12m office scheme in the town centre, a tick for winning praise from the Education Secretary and the last tick for averting a £21m blow to the local economy.

What this campaign showed, just like the Save Our Steel campaign waged on Teesside, is that when the local press, politicians, the workers and the community all pull together they can influence and make a big difference.

Councillor George Dunning, Leader Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.