SIR - I fled the Russians to make a fine life for myself in Bradford, before moving to Riddlesden. It really upset me to be dubbed a "counterfeit Brit" by the learned reader Karl Dallas.

I was happy to integrate and my children are all successes in life because they did the same.

Let's face it - virtually every immigrant is leaving a vastly inferior country to better his/herself in Britain. Immigrants who disagree should return to their native country.

It wasn't easy for us in the post-war years, and we did not get the hand-outs that the later immigrants got and still do. But we learned English best we could, mainly by way of self-funded Ukrainian associations.

David Blunkett is quite correct in his campaign for immigrant integration, and so was Norman Tebbit with his "cricket test". My family were thrilled by England's World Cup victory in 1966 because we regarded ourselves as adopted English.

However, we still look out for Ukraine, and it would be a real quandary for us if we ever played England in the World Cup. May the best team win!

Karl Dallas is doubtless one of those lefties who made Labour unelectable in their wilderness years.

Ivan Sadiwink, Southlands Rise, Riddlesden.

SIR - I would like to correct some facts and assumptions made on your Letters page.

Bradford Council has no intention of laying down the headstones within the Council's cemeteries. It is precisely to avoid any insensitive measures such as this that the decision was taken to increase charges above the level of inflation in order to address the health and safety requirements identified.

The charges in Bradford will still be on a par with neighbouring authorities.

The health and safety issue referred to is a nationwide problem and all councils will have to take appropriate action in order to minimise liability for risks.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Environment Portfolio Holder, City Hall, Bradford.

SIR - So Mr Legge (Letters, December 13) believes in an invisible God who operates through Jesus Christ, sort of a power, a vibratory energy pervading all known space, in which we all live, move and have our being?

This energy created resides in, and operates through, all of us, not just Christ who declared: "Is it not written that you are Gods?"

The kingdom of heaven, he told us, is within. We have many of its gifts and secrets: cars, TVs, phones, electricity to lighten our darkness, and the power to journey to the moon and return. There's much greater to come - the conquest of time, space, life and death, and the resurrection. But WE have to do it. There's no daddy God handing out goodies to the good and beatings to the bad. WE are God.

Religion has nothing new to teach us. It's been hammering out the same message for centuries. And now only serves to hold us back from our incredible inheritance.

Religion is no more than a habit. Get out of it.

E Firth, Wellington Street, Wilsden.

SIR - So Tony Blair has been offended by those who have dared to ask whether or not Baby Blair has had the triple vaccination. He considers this an imposition and an intrusion into his family life.

How can he equate his sensitivity to this simple question with his support for the American saturation bombing of targets in Afghanistan?

Does he consider Afghan families to be immune to the effects of high explosives and impervious to the added insult that the deaths of family members are merely "collateral damage"?

Who now could believe a belated assurance from Blair and his "minders" that the vaccine is "safe and effective", especially as this is the same vapid assurance that successive governments have given for the past 50 years in respect of fluoridation (ie the disposal of highly-toxic tank washings from the phosphate fertiliser factories into public water supplies and subsequently the blood stream and vital soft tissue organs of unwitting consumers)?

Dennis Edmondson, Duck Hill, Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge.

SIR - Bonfire Night is now long past but still the fireworks continue. Christmas, New Year and into January. When will it end?

There is currently a national campaign underway for the Control of Fireworks for Animal Welfare (COFFAW). This campaign aims to represent people who would like further restrictions placed on the sale and use of fireworks, a drastic reduction in the increasing noise levels of these fireworks, and to bring about a stronger public awareness about the terrifying effects fireworks have on animals.

The campaign is receiving a huge amount of support from all over the country and we currently have 35,000 signatures on our petitions. You do not have to own an animal to be part of this campaign - many of our supporters are simply involved for their own sakes because they are fed up of the relentless noise and disturbance night after night.

If any readers would like to know more about this campaign or to receive petition forms, then please do get in touch with me on 07949 595 919 and I will send details.

Lucille Cavadino, Yorkshire Area Co-ordinator, COFFAW.