SIR - It occurred to me that as we make a bid to become a European Capital of Culture, perhaps a look at the opposite side of the coin to Saltaire would be of some merit.

Sit Titus Salt (right) was, along with others of his ilk, a commendable man who cared for the well-being of his mill workers. Unfortunately there were many other mill owners whose workers were housed in appalling conditions and lived in abject poverty.

I think it would be a wonderful idea if tourists were shown the true conditions of these people, as over a century later many of us are still forced to live in such conditions because of the refusal of Bradford Council to improve what they call unadopted roads.

Bring a coach load of visitors to New Brighton in Oakenshaw where the rows of back-to-back mill houses built for the artisans are still occupied by today's poor, with no hope of a better future.

We are people who work hard and long hours, pay our council and income taxes, and yet have to pick our way over potholes the size of craters. The mill was demolished long ago, but the poor live on.

Pamela Sharp, Beresford Street, Oakenshaw, Bradford.

SIR - "Burial fees set to soar," and "Up goes leisure," were two of the more worrying headings to appear in the T&A on December 14.

It's a sure sign, along with the proposed increases in the Council Tax for the year 2002, that the vast majority of law-abiding citizens here in Bradford are to be penalised heavily for the July rioting.

The citizens of Bradford will, no doubt, have prepared themselves for the proposed back-door taxes and yet the cremation and burial fees increases of some 14 per cent will smack of taking advantage of persons already upset by the loss of a loved one, without suffering possible financial hardship.

Donald Firth, Harrogate Street, Undercliffe.

SIR - Having lived in Bradford for ten years, I was appalled to see the scenes of rioting which took place in the summer. Although I strongly believe that the perpetrators involved should be punished, I do not agree with harshness of the sentences handed out to these young offenders.

Shazad Ashraf, 19, was given a five-year sentence despite the fact that he had no previous convictions, came from a law-abiding family and had a stable job. An unidentified 15-year-old was given an 18-month sentence for throwing four stones and carrying a stick.

In my opinion giving out such stringent sentences to these youngsters will not reform their behaviour. At an age when they should be deciding which path to take in life, heavy sentences will not help!

Interacting with other criminals will only encourage them to deviate from the standard norms of society.

Tariq Hussain, Libards Street, Whitehouse Common, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.

SIR - Might I suggest a meeting, or forum, with representatives of the Polish/Ukrainian/Estonian/ Hungarian etc communities and others?

These other immigrants made a very successful adaptation into English life and society in years gone by and could impart their experiences and possible solutions to influence the present situation.

It seems to me that the people of Asian countries come here for a better life, and yet bring the "old life" with them. Surely a new life means shedding the old life and starting again, thereby integrating with society and us "natives" and adopting our language, customs and habits (the good ones, that is).

All communities (eg the Jewish community in Leeds) tend to stick together, but without being isolationist.

As to the riots, we have our own troublemakers as well, but parents of all communities must take on the responsibility of their kids behaviour, be aware of what they are doing at nights and weekends, and make sure they are not "led on" by those who wish to create trouble and hatred.

D A Abbott, Stony Royd, Pudsey.

SIR - Having read Mr Wilson's letter of December 3 regarding Muslim children's freedom of religious choice and Mujahid Ali Islam's reply, Mr Islam appears to have dismissed Mr Wilson's views as clap-trap. I think most people would agree that if a child from any cultural background was force-fed any religion from an early age and made to chant day after day, week after week, month after month, any set of beliefs, he would finish up believing what the teacher intended him to believe.

Some less-tolerant societies would call this brainwashing.

I personally think all children should first be able to understand and question any set of beliefs before adopting them. Not quite as simple as you thought, eh, Mr Islam?

Ray Potter, Low Lane, Grassington.

SIR - Having spent two weeks in Ward 22, Coronary Unit, BRI, words cannot express my utmost admiration for the whole staff.

A very special thanks to consultant Dr Morrison and all his team and in particular to Dr Stewart Maguire. Their care and dedication could not have been surpassed if I had been a local dignitary.

Every one of the doctors and nurses treated me and my fellow patients with dignity, respect and overwhelming courtesy.

George S Gill, Ward 22, Bradford Royal Infirmary.