SIR - Britain is one country that stands out like a beacon. We are, in general, not cruel to animals or children, we don't oppress women, our health service is second to none, we provide for our old people, unemployed and the homeless. Our politicians and police are scrutinised; corruption is not tolerated and our justice system is fair and without prejudice.

Throughout history, our ancestors have stood up to the political and religious tyrants and bigots of this world. We have lost literally millions of lives in doing so.

Oppressed people, instead of making the necessary sacrifices to change their own countries, come here in ever-increasing numbers to take advantage of our hard-won freedoms.

The tyrants, religious and political, in their countries must be laughing all the way to their respective banks, having unloaded their opposition via the asylum system.

L Dobson, Stonecroft, Bradford 2.

SIR - A lot of people have ploughed their life's savings into the maintenance of their properties in Heaton.

If, as planned, a hostel for asylum seekers is opened there, house prices would plummet. This plan shows total disregard for the community.

Last year, there were 71,000 asylum applications in Britain, which was the highest in Western Europe. Each application could have contained five or six family members, and this year the figure is spiralling out of control.

The total cost last year was £1 billion, and with many hostels opening this year, the figure could double. This obviously places a massive strain on many government services.

Crime is a major problem in Dover, and we certainly don't want that in Heaton. The plight of Heaton residents should be at the forefront of everyone's thoughts.

Labour's asylum policies are creating resentment and hatred towards all people of foreign extraction.

A Hussain, Abingdon Street, Manningham.

SIR - Please allow me to respond to Mike Stocks (Letters, March 22).

I wrote my March 15 letter regarding Holme Wood and Royds as a resident and representative of Carwood village and concerned residents of Holme Wood would point out:

1. At stock transfer a private company will take over council stock with a board of directors whether for profit or not, it will be a private company.

2. I am a homeowner and as such I had to improve my own home.

3. When Mike Stocks talks about Buttershaw he neglects to say that parts of Buttershaw are still living in 19th century dwellings due to the formation of Royds.

4. I am not anti-stock transfer.

When I represent Carwood, I neither win nor lose whatever the outcome. The residents do. I make no apology for my letter as I am a part of Holme Wood and proud of it. My objection is to the company of Royds having responsibility for and a say in Holme Wood's affairs.

As for the tenants, I wish them well in their decision.

H Clough, Copgrove Road, Bradford 4.

SIR - For many years, successive governments have seen fit to bury many nasties - including anthrax, nuclear waste and other chemicals detrimental to the health of all human and animal life.

Now another time bomb rears its ugly head in the form of 500,000 animals being buried, a percentage of which, if not all, have foot and mouth disease. This being the case, what exactly are the government leaving as an inheritance for our children and grandchildren?

I find this state of affairs very disturbing, in that, due to government whitewash and an attitude of "I'm all right Jack", the generations to come may well finish up as mutant and disfigured.

I am only glad that I may not be here to witness this holocaust!

Trevor Williams-Berry, Bredon Avenue, Wrose, Shipley.

SIR - I am writing as one of the residents of Low Moor who walk their dogs on South Bradford Golf Course.

I can assure Mr White (T&A Letters, March 27) that I am neither arrogant nor ignorant and did in fact find alternative walks when the foot and mouth restrictions were first put in place.

However, I have on two occasions checked with the appropriate Council department and have been advised that after the first "belt and braces" approach to closing footpaths, restrictions have been reviewed and, unless a footpath passes through farm outbuildings or livestock, it can be used.

I asked particularly about the footpath through South Bradford Golf Course and was told it was in order for me to use it.

I would certainly not want to cause any further spread of this terrible disease and will gladly walk elsewhere rather than do so. But with Tony Blair telling everyone to get out into the countryside, we certainly seem to be getting some very mixed messages.

J L Denby, Belmont Crescent, Low Moor.

SIR - Re the official report claiming Bradford is one of England's cleaner metropolitan cities.

Some of the streets of Bradford might be, but it is quite obvious that some are not. Why should it be up to the Council to sort out the mess on our streets, and to keep collecting rubbish that untidy people leave behind?

I say we should all back Bradford Council instead of always slating them for one thing and another, and get these disgusting litter louts to pick up their own rubbish.

K Wood, Grasmere Road, Bradford 2.

SIR - I'm writing to ask your readers to organise a very special walk this May. Hundreds of people up and down the country will be "Walking With WellBeing" to raise funds for a charity close to my heart, WellBeing (the health research charity for women and babies) - and you could join them.

Walking With WellBeing this year focuses on town and city walks. There is so much to be discovered in our towns and a walk is one of the best ways to learn about the history of a place or to discover new attractions.

Organising a walk is also one of the easiest ways to fundraise and your event can be as small or large as you like. You could even ask your local tourist information office to provide a guide.

For more information on organising a sponsored walk in your area please contact WellBeing on 020 7772 6400.

Please remember to respect restrictions set in place on country footpaths and bridleways due to the foot and mouth crisis.

Lynda Bellingham, WellBeing, Sussex Place, Regent's Park, London, NW1.

SIR - I see that due to making its usual winter-time grit savings, the Council has got a surplus of grit for the region's roads.

The reason I say this is simple. During the recent snowfalls, Halifax Road was either a slushy mess or an ice rink until you drove within Calderdale (after Shelf roundabout).

Not once did I see a gritter before the start of the snow. However on March 28, I followed a gritter up Manchester Road and another one along Halifax Road.

The forecast was for showers with temperatures above three degrees.

Why does snow not justify grit until after it has fallen when rain does?

Dave Pask, Cross Street, Bradford 6.