SIR - I was not surprised to see the article in the KN about the bed crisis in Airedale Hospital due to the lack of nursing home beds.

I am frustrated that it seems to have come as news, as the care home sector has been warning about this for years but only when it is too late to stop the rot has anyone started to believe us. I myself wrote to Mr Farrow earlier this year on the subject.

Since they took over responsibility for long term care in 1993 neither Bradford nor North Yorkshire have given fee increases that even match the rate of inflation.

North Yorkshire County Council, in a recent letter to care home owners, has admitted that it has been underpaying for years, and offered a 16 per cent increase in payments.

This might give an indication of why cash starved care homes are currently closing at the rate of 100 a month around the country, as they can't make ends meet even when full.

Quality nursing care simply cannot be given for £2 per hour, which is what North Yorkshire has been paying up till now, and many home owners are just giving up the battle. They would rather not give any care than be forced to give substandard care.

A big problem is that elderly care is not seen as important enough, certainly not in political terms. It's not that councils don't have the money, it's just that they don't pass it on. Politics takes money away from elderly care to spend on vote winners like education.

Last April the government gave Bradford nearly £47m to spend on care of its elderly residents - both long stay care and care at home. This was a four per cent increase on the previous year because Government knew that Bradford needed it.

But Bradford knew better! Over £5 million of that money has, according to Bradford's own figures, been taken away from the elderly to spend in other departments.

This pattern is repeated up and down the country. This is the reason why they are having to ration care home placements, why hospital beds are being blocked and why people who need urgent treatment are dying on trolleys in hospital corridors.

The independent care sector nationwide looks after nearly half a million people, which is more than the NHS and Social Services combined.

There is a vast range of nursing expertise and facilities available that is not being used, at a time when the NHS cannot provide enough, even though their beds are four times the cost of ours.

This expertise will go to waste and never be replaced if we are not properly used now.

ANDREW MAKIN

Yorkshire Branch Secretary, Registered Nursing Home Association.

SIR - I write with reference to the recent letter on the subject of top heavy trees, with which I fully agree.

Since October 24 I have written two letters to the Keighley Environmental Officer in relation to the danger risk created by the massive trees adjacent to my flat in Green Head Road.

If one of these trees should ever fall it would without doubt demolish my flat.

Also in the autumn when the trees shed their leaves, which then accumulate down our footsteps and private pathways, we elderly tenants have to negotiate the dead slippery leaves which is also a further risk.

Finally, it is with disgust that I have to inform you that the Environmental Officer has not had the good manners or courtesy to even acknowledge my letter.

HUGH K MATHER

Green Head Road, Keighley

SIR - Although Guide Dogs wants the New Year to begin with a big bang, we are appealing for sensible use of fireworks to avoid frightening dogs.

The Festive Season is a time of great joy for many, but for guide dogs and their owners it can be very traumatic. Whereas partygoers may revel in the loud bangs and explosions, fireworks can be a nightmare for animals.

Many guide dogs are so terrified of the loud noise that they have to be sedated during the festive period. Some are unable to work for days at a time. Worse, some are even forced into early retirement and never recover from the trauma of misused fireworks that explode at close range.

Guide dogs occupy a crucial place in the lives of blind or partially sighted people. Currently nearly 5,000 guide dog owners enjoy the freedom and independence they provide, but for many of them the use of fireworks throughout the year has become a real problem. While we would not wish to be party killjoys, we are appealing to everyone who is letting off fireworks to act responsibly and be sensitive.

GERALDINE PEACOCK

Chief Executive,

The Guide Dogs for the

Blind Association.