However, in this climate of economic downturn and lowering house prices, it is very frustrating that asking prices for houses remain ridiculously high.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have suggested that our housing market is over-inflated by around 20 per cent and frankly the golden goose has stopped laying.

So I'd say it was about time that both vendors and estate agents dropped asking prices, if only to ensure that the local market doesn't grind to a complete halt.

Location is a key factor in choosing a house but price is also a criteria and if the asking prices remain artificially high then potential buyers will remain uninterested.

So if you want to sell your house, start being a little more realistic because I don't see any queues outside estate agents in Northampton.

The same would apply to landlords and letting agents as many landlords are selling up due to over-supply in the rental market.
The competition is high.

Maybe now is finally the time that people need to realise that a house should be a home, not an investment.
Name and address supplied
but withheld by request.

Can we believe Ministry of Truth?
Readers of George Orwell's 1984 will be familiar with the Ministry of Truth. This seems to be alive and well in our Government.

We had the very dubious claim over weapons of mass destruction so we could invade Iraq: we are told fluoride is good for our teeth so they can pump gallons of industrial waste into our water.

Many rightly the question the Government's motives for ID cards and 42-day detention.

Yet self-confessed Gordon Brown sceptic Peter Minney (May 20) insists on believing his line on embryonic stem cell research.

So much so that he accuses those attacking the Ministry of Truth as being lacking in integrity and honesty.

For those interested in the facts, adult stem cell research has so far produced 72 cures, while after more than 10 years its embryonic counterpart has produced nothing.

So why all this hype about these cures when there are other proven alternatives and no track record?

Many scientists regard science as god and just want to endlessly extend its frontiers. There already those who want to clone humans.

What is the truth?

Can we rely on the Truth Ministry not to lie to its MPs?
Colin Bricher,
Local Spokesman, Christian Peoples Alliance party, Northampton.

Respect earned
Guy Nicholls continues to write, at increasing length, to rubbish Margaret Bondfield who died 55 years ago . . . all this to try to score a few petty political points.

Margaret Bondfield earned respect and admiration in what were very hard times in those years just after the end of World War One.

Nothing Mr Nicholls can say will change that fact.
Geoff Howes,
Alliston Gardens,
Northampton.

Great sport for the town's lads
IT was good to see the picture feature about Brian Binley MP visiting Far Cotton Boys Boxing Club in last Thursday's Chron (May 29).

Brian was really impressed with the club and the work it does and it was very sporting of him to come along.

However, I feel the Chron missed an opportunity to show a few shots of the lads themselves and make a positive point about some of the youth of the town working hard in a sport that requires self-discipline and dedication.

It would have been nice to have given coach John Daly a mention as well, considering his hard work to get these lads involved in a great sport that keeps them off the streets.
Eamonn Fitzpatrick,
Ridgeway,
Northampton.

Help in the rain
On the way to the theatre in the rain, my husband's wheelchair broke down in Guildhall Road.

Many people passed us by but then a young couple stopped to help; kneeling on the wet pavement the young man fixed the chair.

Through your letters page I would like to thank them for their kindness.
Shirley Willis,
Cotswold Avenue,
Northampton.

Sally won't stop me drinking
Well, well, Aunt Sally is to secure the nation's morals by trying to get drinks prices up again.

It was Sally Keeble's party which altered the licensing laws of England to get 24-hour drinking.

I've been drinking in pubs since I was 14, I'm now 65, and I'll fight them who want to stop me getting a drink I can afford.

Keep your mits off cheap booze Sally.

Your party is in enough trouble.

I travel this country and the world and we are taxed more than anywhere else in the world.

In March in Mexico I got two bottles of Corona beer for one American dollar.

Here it's £1.87 a bottle. All tax.

When I was a kid, closing time in the afternoon was 2pm, opening at 7pm, closing at 10pm. Everyone got up next day for work.

Sally Keeble has caused the drinking problem and should not get pensioners to pay for it again.

The hospital figures show it all: a tripling of admissions due to drink.

I can handle mine. Don't expect me to pay for others or to drink out of plastic glasses.

She should sort out her party and leave the booze alone!
Alan Johns,
Sentinel Road, West Hunsbury, Northampton.

Pleasure to drive
I have just read the letter about all the roadworks going on, all at the same time, and agree it would be better to stagger them.

Perhaps the council should get in touch with councils in North Wales.

It was a pleasure to drive there without having to look for potholes.

The roundabout near Tesco at Weston Favell is a disgrace. How long will that take the council to do?
Anne Cockram,
Tyes Court, Northampton.