Sir, – Andy Preston (Middlesbrough mayoral candidate) is absolutely right to encourage the regeneration of urban areas such as Gresham, Middlesbrough (D&S letters, Jan 2).

If they can be made desirable areas in which to live, there will be no need to build new housing estates on good agricultural land on the edge of market towns and there will be less commuter traffic and congestion on our roads as people travel back into Middlesbrough to work.

Bringing up children in the countryside is a nice dream, but there is not much for children to do on some of these soulless new housing estates. They will find far more interesting activities in a well planned town.

Andy Preston should be congratulated on these ideas and if he can make Gresham a desirable place to live, he will make an excellent mayor of Middlesbrough.

MILES GARNETT

South Otterington, Northallerton.