SIR, Few people realise that a Government consultation is taking place, with only until January 31 to respond. As someone with years of work in the legal system, I feel obliged to speak out.

Our legal tradition is one of fair trial by one's peers. Innocence is presumed in the absence of evidence of guilt. Far from being 'modernisation', some of the proposals in the Auld Report would take us back to the Dark Ages.

Most sinister of all are moves towards allowing convictions based not on evidence but on 'hearsay' (i.e. rumour). It is doubly worrying in regard of proposals towards centralised trials by professional judges (as in continental systems) at the expense of trial by juries and lay magistrates, who are ordinary people.

Through agreeing the European Arrest Warrant, the Government has already jettisoned the protection of our legal system by permitting holidaymakers to be dragged abroad without any evidence.

Like the planespotters, they stand to be detained for long periods before being tried for relatively minor crimes.

Readers should write opposing these measures to: Criminal Courts Review, Lord Chancellor's Department, Selbourne House, Victoria Street, London SW1A 6QW. For a fuller summary, please send me a SAE.

ANNE PALMER (Mrs)

c/o New Alliance,

PO Box 13199,

London SW6 6ZU.

Adoption plea

SIR, - The New Year opens for Adoption-Yorkshire, the adoption service of Catholic Care, with a new initiative to encourage more people to consider adopting children. Many people who have adopted say it is the -most challenging and rewarding thing they have ever done.

This campaign aims to challenge some of the myths surrounding adoption so more children can be provided with a safe and loving family who will support them throughout childhood and beyond.

This year, the Wharfedale and Airedale area will be one of the areas that the initiative will focus on in the search to find parents for family groups of two to three children, three years to six years old, but especially families of three children because, nationally, there are considerable numbers waiting. Also children, six to eight years old and babies with Down's Syndrome.

The children's needs vary and all sorts of people are needed to care for them. Catholic Care accepts applications from people of any or no religion. Many people are surprised to hear that they are too old to adopt at 50-plus.

Usually, it is expected that by the time a child becomes 18 years old its parents will be in their early 60s. The important thing is that adopters are able to meet the needs of the children by providing security and stability throughout childhood and beyond.

The adoption team are looking forward to hearing from people who would like to find out more about adoption. They can be contacted on Freephone 0808 144 2650 or by visiting www.adoption-yorkshire.org.uk

Vera Ogden

Adoption Team Leader,

Catholic Care,

11 North Grange Road,

Headingley,

Leeds.

So insensitive

SIR, - It really is insensitive of Bradford Council not to place rubbish bins next to the seats in Mill Ghyll.

Do they really expect young people to stagger the ten or so yards to the nearest one after their vodka and dope parties?

Hang on .... empty bottles cradled by autumn leaves, carpets of coggy papers, carrier bags floating on a soft flowing stream .... Ilkley could win the Turner Prize next year.

Mrs Y E PHILLIPS

The Loafer Flat,

4a Station Road,

Ilkley,

LS29 8HA.

Animal testing

SIR, - Up to 40,000 laboratory animals are still killed every year in Europe and many thousands more worldwide for cosmetics experiments. This staggering figure will shock many people who read this letter, as most of us do not realise that this amount of animal testing still goes on, just so we can have a new lipstick or eye-shadow.

Animals such as rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and dogs are still used in cosmetic testing around the world. Substances can be dripped into animals' eyes, rubbed into their skin and force-fed into their bodies, all in the name of 'beauty'.

Animal testing cosmetics are banned in the UK, but elsewhere around the world it's still big business. Animal testing companies still sell their products in the UK, even though their unethical testing methods would not be allowed here. So how do we stop animal testing for cosmetics?

The European Commission has proposed a Europe-wide ban on cosmetics animal testing. This would be great but it's not enough. As long as companies can still sell their products in Europe, they would simply shift their animal testing to non-EU counties such as Japan or the USA.

What we need is a combined animal testing ban and an EU ban on the sale of new animal tested cosmetics. If these companies can no longer sell animal tested cosmetics, they'll stop animal testing for good.

In April this year Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favour of the combined testing and sale ban. This is good news, but a second vote is coming up soon and it is crucial that MEPs vote the same way again. The BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) has been campaigning hard on this issue, so please join me in supporting this campaign at this important time. The BUAV now urgently needs your help.

Please write to your local MEPs urging them to vote the same way again or write to the BUAV for an urgent action pack.

Your letter really will help make a difference and finally put cosmetic animal testing where it belongs, in the history books. Thank you for your help. For more information and an action pack, please contact the BUAV at 16a, Crane Grove, London, N7 8NN. Tel 020 7700 4888.

RICHARD BRIERS

Actor.

Recycling issue

SIR, - You probably know me as the man from the television carrying the huge mobile phone, shouting and embarrassing people.

"Hello - I'm on the train," as I talk away and disturb the peace and quiet of public places everywhere.

I'm here now using my charm to urge your readers to do their bit for charity and recycle old mobiles. By giving them to the Children's Society you will be helping to raise much needed cash for vulnerable children everywhere - kids sleeping rough on the streets, kids locked up in prisons and kids who are having trouble at school.

If you hand in your old, broken and unwanted mobile phone to the charity, a donation will be triggered. For every mobile phone with its charger The Children's Society will get £5 - without a charger a donation of £3 will go to the charity.

Christmas is over and I bet there are loads of old mobiles lying around out there just waiting to be recycled.

The Children's Society is working with a company that recycles old mobile phones. The firm will make a donation for every phone they receive. So help them make a mint by handing your old one in.

All you have to do is post your old mobile phone to this freepost address below or take it to your nearest Children's Society shop.

PhoneRaising for TCS, West One Technology, FREEPOST 7LON201170, London, W1E 4EE. Or visit (www.phones4tcs.com) or phone 0845 300 1128 to find out where your nearest Children's Society shop is.

By working together we can give children who really need our help a happier, brighter future.

Dom Joly

Actor.

Charity challenge

SIR, - I wanted to let you know about Macmillan Cancer Relief's fantastic charity challenges taking place in the autumn to the exotic countries of Costa Rica and Ecuador.

Your challenge is to walk or cycle for seven days, for an average of eight hours per day, through some of the toughest, but most beautiful terrain imaginable, raising money to help Macmillan's cancer care services. Macmillan's challenge is to support people living with cancer all over the country.

Think you're up to it? Sign up now! Call 0845 604 3601 to find out more. Money you raise will really make a real difference to people living with cancer in the UK.

Good luck!

MARTIN CLUNES

Macmillan Cancer Relief,

3, Fawcett Street,

York, YO10 4AH..

Bankruptcy help

SIR, - Personal debt in the United Kingdom has risen from £450 billion to a staggering £700 billion over the past five years. Millions of people are crippled with debts they are unable to pay.

I am the founder of the Bankruptcy Association which I set up nearly 20 years ago to provide help and assistance to people experiencing debt problems. During that period we have helped tens of thousands of people to deal with their debt problems.

As a membership based Association (membership costs just £15 per annum) we provide totally independent advice and we also have available a wide range of publications that cover every aspect of debt problems. In addition, we have a specialist legal service that is available to members.

Readers can obtain further details about us on our general inquiry line: (01524) 64305. Or readers can write to us for details, our freepost address: The Bankruptcy Association, FREEPOST, 4 Johnson Close, Lancaster, LA1 1BR.

John McQueen

Founder,

The Bankruptcy Association.

Stroke awards

SIR, - To have a stroke can be devastating, not only for the individual, also for family, friends and partners. Do you knwo someone who has had a stroke or cares for someone whose life has been turned upside down by the effects of a stroke?

Nominations are now being taken for The Stroke Association's tenth Life After Stroke Awards. These are held each year and recognise the extraordinary courage shown by people of all ages who had had a stroke, and also those who care for them.

There are seven categories: three for courage (including one for children who had suffered a stroke), one for art and one each for community work, carers and volunteers. All those nominated receive a certificate of recognition and the award winners will attend a ceremony luncheon supported by a host of celebrities in London on July 16.

Nomination forms are available from: Life After Stroke Awards, The Stroke Association, Stroke House, Whitecross Street, London EC1Y 8JJ, or by telephoning 020 7566 0315. Nominations close on March 15.

NICOLA RYAN

The Stroke Association.