IT was sad to read about the Nelson family's decision to stop organising the annual fundraising walk around Frosterley, County Durham, after 20 years (Echo, some editions, Oct 27).

The Nelsons, in addition to organising the walk, also arrange the annual village hall leek show and Linda regularly bakes delicious cakes for the fundraising efforts of other organisations in the village.

On a week when disruption was again caused in the village by other residents, who obviously have nothing in their lives and who, for some inexplicable reason, decided to saw the handrail off and lever up planks from the walkway of Kenneth's Bridge, it is a reminder of community life in a village disappearing.

The local church, chapel and village hall all rely on volunteer effort by a few individuals and it is becoming a declining asset, whereas anti-social behaviour and vandalism appear to be on the increase, with police and wardens apparently powerless.

What does this say for the future of a village? I hope the residents of Frosterley realise what they have lost.

Susan Currah, Frosterley, Co Durham.