FOLLOWING the floods in Cumbria, the Scottish borders and the Yorkshire Dales, will the Government spend some of the millions designated for foreign aid all over the world in our own country? Not a chance – without the foreign aid, there would be no cushy trips to India, China and other faceless places.

Let members of the Government get up here to this end of the country. Don’t send some minister on his own, send others with him who understand things such as civil engineering, and have companies who could do what is needed.

Put some of our own money into our own country – say, two years’ worth of overseas aid spent here.

We want new drains and new bridges.

Don’t skim any of this money off for down south or for Angels of the North or other things that are supposed to be art. New river banks, drain outlets and piles clad with stone can be made to look beautiful and we have the skilled men to do this.

Invest in this country.

Adam Robinson, Bedale