I MUST agree with Peter Barron in his From the Editor’s Chair column (Echo, Nov 24) when he concurred with Tory leader David Cameron that the importance of having a local newspaper cannot be overstated as they really do contribute a great deal to the communities they serve.

For instance, many charitable events are highlighted by our local press, thus providing such charities with much-needed free publicity.

Another important role played by local newspapers is that of community watchdog, a role which allows them to sink their teeth (pardon the pun) into such tasty morsels as the fat wallets of former Northern Rock bosses (Echo, also Nov 24).

Michael Kennedy, Ludworth, Co Durham.