SIR - Once upon a time there was a town called Broad-Ford where people were friendly, there was no crime and the streets were gleaming. The leaders of the town were respected and listened to all their subjects and red tape had never been heard of.

Things were just about perfect until one night the evil Litter Fairy arrived! She swooped down in the night and left household waste on nearly every street causing smells and disease to start breeding.

Every morning the leaders of the town sent out their best men to tackle the problem and pick up what they could, but alas, there was just too much litter!

The subjects found that other evil fairies had set up shop in the land, among them the No Seatbelt Fairy and the Mobile Phone While Driving Fairy. The worst fairy of them all reared her ugly head....the Crime Fairy decided Broad-Ford was an easy target!

All the Queen's councillors and all the Queen's policepersons had trouble putting Broad-ford back together again!

There's no ending to this story yet, but that's for us all to write so that our children sleep safe in their beds at night!

Andrew Bolt, Hazehurst Road, Daisy Hill, Bradford 9.

SIR - I write in response to a letter entitled Wonderful Care. I, like Mrs Taylor, had cause to visit the Breast Clinic at St Luke's. Unfortunately, I received the worst news/diagnosis.

Eleven days later I was operated on and was an in-patient on A2, the breast care ward. The care from my GP through to the hospital staff and the follow-up/home visits have been excellent - the NHS at its best!

To all concerned, I would like to say, "Thank you for saving my life."

Christine Greenwood, Brownroyd Hill Road, Wibsey.

SIR - I am researching my family history. My great grandfather, Samuel Barrett (b 1852, d 1918) married Annie Cordingley in 1884. Samuel had three sisters and four brothers (Ester b 1842, Mary b 1845, William b 1848, Hannah b 1850, Jonathan b 1855, Joseph b 1860 and James b 1862). All were born in Calverley.

Hannah married a man called Edwards, had a son Henry William and was widowed, then married John Alderson. They had a daughter named Minnie.

I wonder if there are any descendants? I would be grateful for any information.

Mrs J N Stansfield, 12 Stuart Avenue, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 6EB.

SIR - With reference to the Council Tax, I believe that each and every household has to pay £17 extra a year due to the policing of the Bradford riots.

Why should I pay it? I was sitting at home minding my own business while the offenders were devastating Bradford.Not only should the offenders get a very heavy sentence; they should also be made to pay for the damage and the extra policing.

We just get on with our lives while others deliberately ruin our city, then we are expected to pay for that.

I hope there are many other people out there who refuse to pay the £17 then they would have to make the guilty pay.

I think it's an utter disgrace how the innocent once again are the victims.

Mrs B Smith, Parsonage Road, Tyersal, Bradford.

SIR - On behalf of all the residents and restaurants in Apperley Bridge, Idle, Thackley, Rawdon and Guiseley who have to endure the annual spring infestation of flies from Esholt treatment works, may I remind Yorkshire Water PLC that rather than wait for the problem and complaints, they could tackle the problem NOW by spraying the treatment beds before the flies have laid their eggs.

This method was successful for many years, but obviously at a cost.

Derek Taylor, Apperley Lane, Bradford 10.

SIR - An excellent job has been done at the King's Road/Queen's Road junction. Now change the upper right lane on Queen's Road to "Right turn only" and the left lane to forward and left to avoid dangerous blocking.

D E Newsham, West Grove, Baildon.