Yes I fully support Asda's stance to fine people who are not disabled using the bays during the peak trading hours but common sense must prevail. I have done the same myself and parked there late at night when there are plentiful empty spaces. You are not stopping a disabled user.

Would Asda feel guilty about you being attacked/mugged/raped having had to park so far away and making yourself vulnerable? Some might say you had left yourself wide open to such a crime by parking in a lonely, dark place late at night.

Come on Asda show a bit of discretion and have these bays for disabled use between certain times.

While we are about people "breaking the law" if you are going to pick on the motoring public for easy pickings, and who doesn't these days, how about you start fining the smokers who blatantly and happily smoke in the "no smoking" areas outside your store, with the "no smoking" signs in full visible view and in plentiful numbers for all and sundry to see, unlike the sign re the car parking and subsequent fine it could incur.

Is it the fact that it is easier to stick a fine on a car window as soon as that person is out of sight and in your store, than the prospect of the face to face challenge having to actually "tell" someone you are going to fine them for smoking in a "no smoking" area!

I rest my case.
Name and address supplied

Just obey the rules
IN response to the letter in the Echo "Costly few minutes" regarding somone's son getting fined a hundred pounds for parking in a disabled space at Asda, what is to complain about?

I have recieved a parking ticket before and it is annoying as I'd rather give the money to charity but if you park illegally/incorrectly you are liable to a fine.

When my son was a baby and we used the baby spaces in a supermarket you used to get some flash little two-seater sports car with one driver, the type who disregards rules and who is too self- important or lazy to park normally.

As well as the Echo several months ago warning about Asda fining people for abusing parking facilities in future, so regardless of time, available spaces, how much of a hurry your're in, just be considerate and obey the rules and you don't get a ticket, it's as simple as that!
S Logan,
Sunderland

Sitting in the Lords
I THINK it's brilliant that two local young people were chosen to speak in the debating chamber of the House of Lords last Friday (May 2), as representatives of UK Youth Parliament.

Rebecca and Jordan were elected as Sunderland's MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) after winning a share of a record number of votes ever in the Sunderland elections.

Sunderland's latest MYPs, elected to represent the views of 11 to 18-year-olds across the city on the national political arena, travelled to London on Election Day (May 1) to take part in this historic debate.

Rebecca and Jordan's duties include, attending local, regional and national meetings and events, debating key issues concerning young people, representing the views of young people in Sunderland, having regular contact with youth groups including school councils across the city, active participation with Sunderland Youth Parliament, presenting updates to Sunderland City Council.

As a new Sunderland councillor I look forward to meeting Rebecca, Jordon and other MYPs, when they present updates to council. Well done. Continue your good work.
Coun Dianne Snowdon,
Roche Court,
Washington

Relay fights cancer
WE would like to invite readers of The Sunderland Echo to join the world's largest fundraising event – The Relay for Life for Cancer Research UK.

This unique and inspirational event will be held for the first time on the weekend of August 16 and 17, at Gateshead International Stadium and we aim to raise as much money as possible.

All the money will be spent locally to continue Cancer Research UK's pioneering research to improve the understanding of this horrific disease and find out how best to prevent, diagnose and treat it in its many different forms.

Cancer Research UK's Relay for Life will celebrate the lives of those that have survived cancer, remember those who have passed away and honour the courage of their loved ones. No doubt many of your readers have been affected by cancer in some way and this is a unique opportunity for them to join a global celebration and honour the courage of their relations and friends.

We are recruiting groups of friends, families and work colleagues to form teams and take part at Gateshead International Stadium from 2pm on August 16 until 10am the following morning, symbolising the fact that cancer never sleeps.

We would also love to hear from local cancer patients and survivors who are invited to take part in the Lap of Honour.

Anyone wanting to get involved, whether by joining the committee, volunteering at or taking part in the event, will receive a very warm welcome.
Pat Stevens,
Relay for Life

THANKS Mr Vickery, of Sorley Street, for posting my bus pass back to me. I am very grateful.
Mrs C Foster,
Hylton Road,
Sunderland

I THANK Councillor Mrs Lilian Walton for all her help and support over the years in pursuing and finally getting the much-needed roads in Alexander Terrace district resurfaced. Having new street names put up has stopped years of confusion. Well done! We need more people like Mrs Walton to represent us.
J Jenner,
Alexander Terrace,
Sunderland