SIR - Reading the story of the Bradford district hauntings, in particular the Bolling Hall ghost, reminded me of the tale my father used to tell us kids many years ago.

A man was bet a large sum of money that he wouldn't dare to spend a night in Bolling Hall. Being a sceptic, and broke to boot, he took on the dare.

He chose his room, unrolled his bedding, and started to get undressed. He had just removed his boots when a ghostly voice moaned "There's only me and thee. There's only me and thee."

The man gulped and yelled, "Aye, and when I get me boots on, there'll only be thee!"

I guess many of the younger generation haven't heard that tale, but I'll bet the reminder of it would bring a smile to the faces of a lot of older people.

Sandy Parkinson, Griggs Place, Hilton, Western Australia.

SIR - Out here in Australia, the sale of fireworks was banned many years ago. We still have lots and lots of fireworks displays but they are always organised events with professional people in charge of the whole thing. Shops and stores are just not allowed to stock them so they cannot fall into the hands of irresponsible people.

With all the problems experienced by Bradford residents (and I don't doubt the same thing is going on all over the country), I would suggest the same laws might be beneficial to the majority of UK citizens.

Kenneth Lorne, Hull Avenue, Lurnea, New South Wales, Australia.

SIR - I agree that the time has come for a change in the law on fireworks including the sale, the type sold and the times of year they can be purchased.

I was amazed when I saw at my local ASDA store large signs saying "Hallowe'en and bonfire fireworks". When did we start using fireworks at Hallowe'en? What next? Easter eggs and fireworks, bank holiday bangers (the exploding kind)?

A M Darby, Delaware Court, Bradford 4.

SIR - Why is everyone so concerned about British Muslims fighting for the Taliban? We should be glad to get rid of these fanatics and should arrange free flights for them as long as they take their dependants with them and give up their British nationalities.

Too many Muslims complain about Islamaphobia, but it is entirely their own doing. All they know is jihad. They have very little knowledge of the impeccable character of the prophet Mohammed.

Muslims all over the world are seen as troublemakers, whether it's the Algerians in France, the Pakistanis in Britain, Palestine, Kashmir, The Phillipines or Nigeria.

Kashmir and Palestine are simply land disputes that are described as holy wars to justify suicide bombings and mass murders.

The Koran and the ways of the Prophet have been ignored by blood-thirsty, power-hungry militants. Would God want anyone to kill thousands of innocent people in his name?

Ameen Patel, Thornton Road, Bradford.

SIR - Being a Bradfordian living in Canada, it was with dismay and disgust that I saw on television young British Muslims going to Afghanistan to fight against British soldiers, not for Islam as they claim, but to protect a terrorist.

Judging by their accents, these men are born in Britain, so deportation as a punishment following their return, is not a factor. Treason, however, is.

If the British Goverment allow these men to go unpunished, they will dishonour any soldier who dies over there, and any country that won't honour their dead is not worth dying for.

How would I have felt when I was with the British Army in Malaya if my government had allowed British people to come over and fight against me!

Ken Hodgson, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada.

SIR - Regarding the letter from K Wood (T&A, October 29). Why on earth does she think that people with children have a right to preferential parking at supermarkets?

Presumably she chose to have children, so she must be prepared to cope with the inevitable inconvenience they cause.

I entirely agree with the man who said: "I pay my taxes." I, too, pay taxes to feed, clothe and educate other people's children. Why should parents receive advantageous parking facilities as well?

Supermarkets may indicate that certain areas may be used by cars with children in, but anyone is entitled to park there if they wish.

"Common decency" has nothing to do with it. Children ARE inconvenient, it goes with the territory. Why should the rest of us be inconvenienced, though?

Sarah Greenwood, Highgate, Heaton.