I ACCEPT that the nation should show their gratitude to our NHS personnel and all of the people who are putting their lives at risk trying to keep us at all safe and well at this time, but applaud like we did at 8pm last night seems such a small recognition for the thousands of people involved.

But, let’s not forget that the majority of these people are the ones who have been unable to be heard when requesting salary increases over many years yet now they are recognised as our country’s heroes (and rightly so).

I believe the country should reward all of these people working to keep us safe not only with monetary value but also remember them when honours and awards are being handed out, and that’s not just for the higher management. I am sure our celebrities, politicians etc can wait another year or so.

John Danby, Durham