I don't see ragged children (except for designer jeans), or children with holes in their expensive trainers and I certainly don't see emaciated children with their apparently insatiable appetite for burgers and the like.
Child poverty is created in their minds, because of a lack of morals, manners and any real meaning to their lives.
All these three are down to the parents. I recently met a mother with three children by two fathers who said to me: "It's up to 'them' to educate my children."
Enough said.
Peter Walmsley, address supplied

We'll lose out as developers cash in
I was struck by a recent letter in the paper concerning the building of houses in back gardens.
Neighbours whose garden abuts ours have received planning permission to build a substantial property, taking up the majority of their relatively small garden and sited as close as legally possible to our home.
We have objected to our local council on the basis the property will overshadow us and deprive us of light.
It is envisaged that on completion of the new-build, both properties will be sold and the present owners will move on.
Our home was originally bought for its pleasant, open aspect at the edge of a green belt and the price reflected its open position. It was more than we could really afford at the time.
Since then our views from the house have been steadily blocked by buildings.
My husband has been retired for several years and I retired at the end of November 2006.
We have looked forward to spending more time together in a home and garden that we love.
Faced with a new building only a couple of yards away from our property we have made inquiries about moving but estate agents have told us that the new-build will seriously devalue our property and this will limit our choice of a new home.
The planning officer states that there is no possibility of compensation for the loss of value to our property which is as a direct result of his decision and that we have no right of appeal.
I believe this is an injustice.
SM WIthers, via email

Join tours of war sites in Europe
Each year the Lancs and Yorks Historical Society organises pilgrimages to the battlefields of the First World War.
The tours are in September covering France and Belgium.
This year we plan to visit the Somme Battlefields, and the Ypres salient. We can also visit the Battlefields at Arras, Vimy Ridge and Loos, if requested.
The society was formed as a hobby in 1990 by ex-servicemen and we support a variety of ex-service charities and institutions.
These trips are open to anyone who might be interested.
John Battye, 32 Rhodes Street, Hightown, Castleford,
West Yorkshire, WF10 5LL
Tel: 01977 734614

Such a sorry state
Tory MP David Davis has had lots of stick for resigning and forcing a by-election but he's right about the State becoming an unwanted intruder into every aspect of people's lives.
They'll be coming to the toilet with us next.
Freedom fighter, address supplied