MR F Billington (Letters, May 21) thinks those who write to local newspapers are too concerned with local issues.

But I don't think one cares too much what is happening in other places. After all, there's no place like home, is there?

One can be abroad on holiday but, as soon as your own town, is mentioned the adrenalin starts to flow.

Soldiers love to get letters from people in their home town. And sick people who are house-bound would rather read about what happens nearer home.

We know of the big wide world outside and the mess that it is in. That is why we are content to be thankful for our own community and staying put.

ADA GIBSON, Grange Street, Clayton-le-Moors.

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