SIR - John Hall writes (T&A, January 2) about the suffering of asylum seekers in their homelands, and that we should show compassion.

Can I just point out that I thought asylum seekers' had to go to the first safe' country? So why bypass most safe' countries to get to Britain?

The answer is easy, the majority are illegal and have no desire to work legally or they would seek asylum in the first safe' country.

As far as Great Britain goes we have always been a country constantly trying to better ourselves, but that is all gone now.

The average tradesman, bricklayer, joiner, lorry driver is now fighting for jobs against our Eastern European new habitants who are prepared to work for a lot less due to their low wages in Poland, Slovakia, etc.

I am not against immigration, this country does need it, but not to the extent we have accepted, we don't have the infrastructure.

Gerald Stevens, Amy Street, Bingley