YET again hundreds, if not thousands, of people line the streets to watch the return of more dead soldiers from Afghanistan. Would it not be better if they took to the streets to protest against this futile, useless, unwinnable war.

This would show real respect for the many young men whose lives would be saved if this conflict was brought to an end.

We know now we invaded Iraq to secure oil exports to the US, but why are we in Afghanistan?

Apparently, it is for “strategic” reasons. Tell that to a mother grieving over the needless death of a son barely out of his teens.

If someone would organise an anti-war march in Darlington I would be there, though I am 80 years old and can hardly walk.

Hugh Pender, Darlington.