I LIKED your article about the 50th birthday of Motown Records (Echo, Jan 12). I have been a listener of Motown and Northern Soul music for more than 34 years and I am also in my 50th year.

Northern Soul and Motown Records are still being played regularly at various venues around the North-East, notably the Big Club and the RAFA Club, both in Newton Aycliffe.

These venues are all troublefree even though there is plenty of alcohol flowing until past midnight.

I would like to see more younger faces at these Northern Soul venues, as the regular patrons are in their late 40s and early 50s, and to congratulate local Northern Soul DJs P Shoulder, C Denham and S Smith for their dedication over the years to make these Northern Soul nights a pleasure to attend.

Stephen Hadden, Coundon, Co Durham.