RECENT figures released show that parents in Britain pay the highest childcare cost in Europe.
The school holidays can be a stressful time for us parents – especially if we are faced with large childcare bills.
If parents do find they have overspent and are worried about making bill repayments the first step is to seek legal advice early to avoid disconnection of utilities, or in some instances, even eviction.
The Legal Services Commission fund a number of high quality advice providers in Sunderland, using our budget to target the people who need legal advice most.
By taking advantage of this advice we ensure that people get the help they need and can continue to play a full role in society.
If you are worried about debt please contact our telephone helpline, Community Legal Service Direct on 0845 345 4 345 or visit www.clsdirect.org.uk to find your local quality assured advice provider.
Peter Nelson,
Regional Director,
North East Legal Services Commission

Exhume these dogs
I WRITE about the so-called hero who is killing these greyhounds. The dogs should be exhumed. Why not? Why not get to the bottom of this thing.
I believe the people who are starting a petition are annoyed it's come to light. If it has been going on why has it not been out in the open before now?
As you say he is a hero so there should be no trouble letting people find out why and when these 10,000 dogs have been done away with. These owners who let this happen and are happy with it going on, should be dealt with also.
As for people not being able to afford vets to put the dogs to sleep they should have thought about that. They didn't think that when the dogs were of use. So yes, bring it on.
Mrs B Crute,
Sunderland

Sanctuary needed
I READ with horror, as did many others, the story regarding David Smith and the shooting of greyhounds.
How the heck could the people of Seaham, who knew about it, live with this barbaric act going on their doorstep and not do a damn thing about it? What does that say about you?
I would have done everything in my power to stop him.
Has Mr Smith declared any of the earnings he has made from this barbaric act?
I hope he suffers both financially and emotionally for the hurt and suffering he has caused these animals and I am not surprised he has received death threats as he has upset thousands of people.
Council officials, look at the need for an animal sanctuary in Sunderland.
C West

Dog fouling in lane
MAY, I add my comments in respect of the state of the back lanes in High Barnes, in particular Abingdon Street and Ewesley Road.
The main problem is dog fouling!
Despite there being notices on lampposts threatening irresponsible owners with fines no attention is paid. Yes, my dog does go in the back lane but we keep small shovels to scoop up and deposit it down the drain.
There is the added hazard of someone else's pet mess ending up in your own yard (not nice when you have to clean it up). Just outside garage doors seem a popular spot.
Due to a shortage of dog waste bins we bought our own. Requests to the council have proved fruitless. The bins disappeared when the new lampposts appeared. Is anyone able to help?
It is obvious from the condition of the deposits that they have been there for some time.
Fed up and dirty-footed
Be responsible
LINDA Colling has every right to be indignant over Keith Macdonald and his recent notoriety.
In Genesis 9 Verse 1, God says of Noah and his family "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." Good advice at the time as there were only eight of them around – Mr and Mrs Noah, their three sons and their three sons' wives." After the flood there was definitely a need for being fruitful.
The first commandment in the Bible about family life and procreation is in Genesis 2, v24, just after Adam had met his wife. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The old version says he shall "cleave to his wife".
Christ Himself, through the apostle Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians 5, v25: "Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it."
Jesus loved us as a husband should love his wife, sacrificially – He gave His life for those he loved. That's you, two sides to every story, Keith Macdonald and me.
With rights come responsibilities!
Pauline Featonby-Warren,
Sunderland

Putting family first
A VERY big thank you to everyone who contributed to make my wife's last days and the subsequent funeral a very memorable experience.
Memorable for the fact that so much love and compassion was shown. It was Doe's dream, the kind of send-off she and I talked about during the many nights she couldn't sleep. She had planned most of the proceedings herself being the woman she was, I rather think she wanted to take some of the burden from me and all the family. My daughter Lynn did exactly the same six years ago.
Doe put her family to the fore but still had time to hear and help friends in trouble. All the cards and flowers proved how much people respected and loved her. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent them, funeral directors, vicar and staff of St Peter's Church and a special thanks to John, his wife and staff of the Queen Vic. Last but not least Doe's friends Brenda and Pat and all who planned the catering side. God bless you all.
CS Wasey,
Southwick