THE murder of Jill Dando reinforces my belief that murderers should face the death sentence.

Women and children savagely murdered, bombings in London, shootings in Manchester - they happen almost daily.

Our answer to these thugs when they are apprehended is custodial sentence - maybe for life, but not necessarily - while the victims' right to life is taken away.

Think of all the other people, relatives and friends, traumatised by the event.

We have all heard the arguments put forward, mainly by do-gooders, for not allowing the death sentence, but I believe it does not hold water.

Have a referendum; see what the result would be. I would abide by the wish of the people, not necessarily agreeing personally.

At the moment a vote by MPs is our only prerogative - and we all know what the result of that is.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.