SIR - Dr Joan Giller in her letter of January 15 claims that Mike Priestley's article on asylum seekers was inaccurate, offensive and inflammatory. I found it exactly the opposite. It was written with honesty, integrity and was highly accurate. Her attempt to add credibility to her views by raising emotional experiences was not justified as this aspect was not part of Mike Priestley's article.

The good doctor concludes that these new immigrants will give us even more variety. If she would come and see the fairies at the bottom of my garden (it's not far from Cottingley) I will give her a free reading of the real future of this city for the next ten years.

Gary Lorriman, Bramblewick. Harden.

SIR - The letter from Mr Mohammed Latif (January 21) gave a misleading impression of the work of Regen 2000.

The programme is not simply about upgrading local housing in BD3 and surrounding areas, although that is one of the issues being dealt with. Our priorities are support for business, community economic development as well as physical and social improvements,

We have already launched our Business Support Project, and the employment agency to help local people get jobs is coming shortly. We have projects with youngsters helping them to gain the skills needed to get good jobs.

We are working on projects to make the area a safer and more secure place in which to live and work and we are setting up a new initiative on street cleaning. We have projects helping the elderly and disabled remain in their own homes with improvements to their living conditions. Regen 2000 is about to launch a community fund which local people and organisations will be able to access.

All our funding is matched by money from public or private partners and the local community is heavily involved in the decision-making. All board meetings are open to residents.

All the other concerns raised by Mr Latif are being addressed within our programme.

Mohammed Shaukat, chairman, Regen 2000, Peckover Street, Little Germany, Bradford

SIR - I agree with Mohammed Latif (Letters, January 21) regarding Regen 2000's facelift in Barkerend Road. The wool was certainly pulled over our eyes when we filled in our forms full of ideas for improving our area.

We all want a safer, cleaner and a more aesthetically pleasing community. There was plenty of cash available to achieve this.

But instead they're sandblasting the larger, more imposing properties of Barkerend Road, which looked comparatively decent, unlike the rows of decrepit back streets hidden behind.

This is the environmental equivalent of "Botox"; a cosmetic conjuring trick to detract the eye from the ugly truth. Our money has been thrown away on superficial vanity that won't last.

Jean Thompson, Radnor Street, Bradford 3

SIR - I would very much appreciate local people's comments in the West Royd/Windhill area about the possibility of setting up a credit union, where people on low incomes can save a few pounds and also take out small loans to cope with sudden expenses.

Most people, especially pensioners, are faced with hardship in time of need, and anyone not in gainful employment would find it very difficult to open accounts at normal banks.

I would also be grateful for anyone in the West Yorkshire area who would be willing to donate any free time towards helping anyone suffering with agoraphobia, possibly unable to leave their own homes. Small tasks like going to the shops that people who are healthy take for granted are an absolute nightmare for agoraphobia sufferers.

Please e-mail me on ph014h1018@ blueyonder.co.uk

Ray Harrison, West Royd Drive, Windhill, Shipley.

SIR - After the murder of the Special Branch police officer, I wonder how the bleeding-heart do-gooders can sleep at night, telling us we are not doing enough for the asylum-seekers.

Instead of wasting taxpayers' money on a futile war on Iraq, this money could be spent on ridding this country of fake asylum seekers, drugs barons and the rest of the criminal fraternity.

It is about time the terrorists and drugs barons were given the death penalty. It is better for one innocent man to die than for 100 guilty ones to get away with it. You only die once.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.

SIR - If Morrisons is willing to pay £2.9 million for Safeway, why can't the group modernise the old supermarket on Sticker Lane? There has already been a meeting and petitions signed to get the old store reopened but to no avail.

The residents of Laisterdyke feel they have been let down by Morrisons since they moved to Thornbury.

There is a bus that runs to the Thornbury store, but it runs for only three days a week and shoppers have to pay 50p for each journey.

Martin Palliser, Laisterdyke.

SIR - The widow of a man killed when an articulated lorry jumped traffic lights and ploughed into his car said that nine months' jail for the driver was "lenient." I personally think it is a disgrace. He should have got at least 15 years.

No wonder no-one has any faith in the criminal justice system. How does one justify giving five years each to the Bradford rioters when no-one was killed and then nine months to a killer?

Saleem Akhtar, St Michael's Road, Bradford

SIR - May I thank the young lady and young man who helped me when I tripped and fell on January 15 on the island outside St George's Hall opposite the florist shop in Bridge Street.

She took me into the shop and made me a cup of tea. I was very grateful for their hospitality. I didn't get their names. It's nice to know there are some good people out there.

C Fletcher, Morrell Court, Holme Wood.