I WISH Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen every success in his effort to defeat Stockton business man Christopher Joseph who wants £250,000 from the taxpayer to relinquish the rights to the name "Teesside Airport" (Echo, Apr 19).

Couldn't the mayor just use the name International Airport Teesside (I'm sure it would catch on) which certainly isn't Teesside Airport?

If, however, the law determines that £250,000 has to be found I sure the population of the North-East would support a public appeal.

I would go without food for two days and donate £10 and would attempt to persuade my wife to do likewise for a further £10.

Does Mr Joseph have a conscience?

There would be others who would donate larger sums which would give them more favourable publicity than Mr Joseph would receive.

Perhaps an alternative for Mr Joseph would be to accept £50,000 for the trademark and have a plaque at the airport showing his generosity.

Wait a minute though, I have been attempting to find out what Darlington Borough Council does with the £26m which remains unclaimed by residents given by central government and mentioned in the magazine they publish.

I have been corresponding with a councillor, but progress is slow.

Would the mayor be able to apply to central government to see if some of this unclaimed benefit money given to Darlington could be used on the airport naming dilemma?

Mike Taylor, Darlington