WITH reference to the cancellation of the Durham County Show - which was to have been held at Herrington Country Park on the outskirts of Sunderland, on July 14 and 15 - because of policing costs.

A charge of more than £13,000 for the "services" of one inspector, one sergeant, and ten constables for the two days of the show is nothing less than extortion in the extreme.

Would the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police supply a breakdown of the cost? I think not.

The show secretary has said they have received fantastic support from Sunderland City Council.

Question: How much have the police charged the council for the policing of the Sunderland Kite Festival and the Sunderland Airshow? I consider the county show of greater importance than both of these.

What of all the other agricultural shows? Are they going to be forced to cancel because of these charges?

Will Sunderland council pay these charges and save the county show?

JAH Porteus, Washington, Wearside.

AS we are encouraging home-grown food, farm shops and farmers' markets in the region, it is disappointing that such a major agricultural event as the Durham County Show had to be cancelled because organisers could not afford the £13,000 police required to man it (Echo, July 2).

What does the future hold for Reeth, Wolsingham and Stanhope shows in my area? Are these popular and historic shows going to be dictated to by the cost of policing?

In the past it was done by a local bobby on a bike.

Eric Schofield, Crook, Co Durham.