I COULD have wept when seeing the flames engulfing the most visited building in Europe, Notre Dame Cathedral. It is 850 years old and it was in wonderful condition for its age.

Being a lifelong Durham lad, I wonder how us in the North-East would feel if our very own stunning Durham Cathedral went up in flames like Notre Dame.

Many years ago, one of Durham’s most prominent churches St Godric’s above North Road lost its roof in a spectacular fire started by a truant schoolboy who lit hymn books in the church to keep warm.

I sincerely hope that arson was not the cause of the Paris fire, but you never know as France has lots of problems of unrest at the moment.

Malcolm Rolling, Carrville