SIR - We think we speak for the majority of people in our area when we express our utter horror and feelings of despair and defeat at the news of the culling of more than 1,000 sheep from Baildon Moor and adjacent farms on July 14.

This grazing area, though large, is without doubt a restricted area. There are boundaries, either fences or walls, and cattle-grids, which ensure that these animals keep within this area. The public have been vigilant in their adherence to restrictions during past months. We have seen Countryside Wardens patrolling regularly.

If we are to believe the DEFRA spokesman's quote that these animals "were being culled after being identified as potentially having had 'dangerous contact' with an infected area", we ask: how could this have occurred?

Since we have established that the sheep cannot move by themselves, then the "potentially dangerous contact" must have been brought to them.

If this is sufficient reason for the culling of over 1,000 healthy animals, then the caring public have a right to know how this "potentially dangerous contact" occurred -whether by accident, or negligence, the latter consideration being an outrage!

D & B Crompton, Collier Lane, Baildon.

SIR - Re the debate over whether Bradford needs more city centre hotels. There are still some unanswered questions.

Why are developers continuing to put forward plans for hotel complexes when apparently the average hotel occupancy is only 60 or 70 per cent?

Surely they feel it is viable for more hotels and would not waste millions of pounds on establishments that may only last six months.

Look at Leeds city centre, which has 11 hotels and another three under construction. These range from budget accommodation to the expensive hotels. Who fills all these hotel rooms and is this overkill?

With only three hotels in Bradford city centre, I am sure there is room for more.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford 3.

SIR - On July 12, in front of more than 50 residents from Bradford South, a historic partnership agreement was signed between CARE (representing Wyke and Low Moor), Odsal and Royds (representing Buttershaw, Woodside and Delph Hill), the purpose being to bring communities together to improve their standard of living.

In the South of Bradford we are determined to bring Bradford into the next decade with its head held high and we will do this with the participation of every resident and every business within our area.

What we will not do is stand by and see our part of Bradford, indeed any part of Bradford, descend back into the dark ages.

Yet there are still some sections of Bradford's community (and apparently sections of Bradford Council) who oppose our aims or ignore our presence.

We feel that our aim to improve at least our section of a great city deserves support.

Not all Bradfordians are mindless thugs, and our residents prove this.

Mike Stocks, chairman, CARE (Community Association for Regeneration of Estates), Delph Hill, Wyke.

SIR - What is the reasoning behind the proposed conversion of Bradford Moor golf course into a residential housing estate? This area of land has been dedicated to the game of golf for many years by Bradford Council, who own it, and more so by the past and present members of the golf club who have taken great care protecting the course and improving it to its present standard.

Bradford Council should be proud to have an area of land that's been kept in such fine fettle so near to the city centre, producing needed oxygen to help combat the polluted atmosphere over the city.

The proposal, if carried out, will only create more pollution with the increase of more motor vehicles in the area, adding to an already badly-congested area.

D R Blackwell (past secretary, Bradford Moor Golf Club), Wrose Road, Wrose.

SIR - I have been sent a ballot paper to vote on whether I want a Town Council in Keighley. As I am leaving the area, I will not be taking part, but to those who are so keen on the idea, I would ask if this is really the answer to those who want self-rule for the town?

The proposed body would be lower in status than a District Council and it would be firmly under the thumb of Bradford. In other words, a puppet with the puppetmaster firmly holding the strings.

It is really an insult to those who have campaigned for real independence over the years to put this forward as a solution.

Last but not least, the costs of this, including the usual generous expenses for the councillors of course, would be added on to the already swollen Council Tax bill!

Don Burslam, South Edge, Shann Park, Keighley.

SIR - What a wonderful uplifting feeling at the recent Bradford Mela - a true feeling of harmony friendship and accord, a marvellous gathering. Well done the organisers.

No so well done the Bradford Environmental Health Service. There was a lack of hygiene facilities especially on the varied and attractive food preparation establishments, with little or no refrigeration (a most important item), scant washing provision and sneeze screens were conspicuous by their absence.

Prior to my retirement from outside catering 18 years ago, all the above items were a must. Surely a first-class function like the Bradford Mela deserves better.

B G Wright, Moorend, Silsden.

SIR - Regarding Peter Lilley's views on cannabis on Question Time.

I wrote in the T&A some time ago that cigarettes are addictive and should be sold in official government outlets.

If cannabis is proved officially to ease debilitating illnesses, then it is only right to sell these items where we can also purchase other medicines, at our local chemists at normal shop hours.

This system will ensure purchase is done in a manner that might make other backstreet methods of buying unfashionable.

We all know that the de-criminalising of this mild drug will one day come about. I suggest our MPs keep the topic alive and take their heads out of the sand!

Kenneth E Higgins, Carr Bottom Grove, Little Horton, Bradford.

SIR - I know the fish market and traders are due to move, but why, in this day and age of health and hygiene regulations, especially where food is concerned, have they had to put up with a stinking skip in James Street?

Each trader could have had their own bin for all smelly waste and things which could be recycled, packed and collected after trading.

The filthy skip could then be removed for good. The smell from it is enough to turn the strongest stomach. The disinfectant has not worked.

J Harrison, Musgrave Drive, Eccleshill.