THE River Tees is clean again and the fish at long last have thankfully returned.

We have used and abused our river for more than one hundred years as we have tried desperately to make a living on Teesside.

However, times are now changing; ICI has closed down in Billingham leaving a smaller processing plant and the major iron and steel production units in Middlesbrough are contracting, all of which points towards a cleaner, healthier environment.

Our younger generations need a positive outlook from us as we slowly clean up our act.

If we fail to raise our aspirations, they will quietly move to the greener parts of our country to raise their children and who would blame them.

It really is time for Teesside to look forward with positivity!

The negativity of a nuclear waste dump for Port Clarence, for example, is needed like a hole in the head. The dump is not a technical issue; it is clearly a social one.

Fred and Barbara Jones, Billingham.