FIGHTING BACK: As a long-time supporter of VCD I am disgusted with the article VCD Slammed As Vicious, Callous And Dirty By Press (News Shopper, January 4). I was at the game mentioned with my husband and friends. The Littlehampton Gazette have totally misrepresnted the game. We have many young supporters and families and there was no foul language. We are vocal fans but we certainly are not abusive. As for the ferocious tackling, I feel this is total nonsense. If anything, we were intimidated by their crowd, who I must add were very unfriendly. I had to pass the crowd several times during the game and was made to feel very uncomfortable with nasty remarks thrown at me. There were also remarks made about the youngsters with us who were dressed in our strip. Instead of printing an article making us look bad, you should be encouraging a Kent team. Our club has worked hard to get this far in the FA Vase and deserves some good press.

LESLEY FROSDICK

Barnehurst

Ed comment: The story gave manager Martin Ford a platform to answer criticisms which were published originally in another newspaper. News Shopper is delighted by VCD's current success.

CHARITY CASH: Bexleyheath Cemetery Chapel, behind Asda, opened to the public from December 19 to December 24. Each person who came to the Chapel was invited to put a Christmas decoration on the tree in remembrance of a loved one. They made a voluntary contribution to the Mayor's charity, which this year was the Eleanor Hospice Foundation, and raised £631. I would like to thank all of those involved in making this happen over the Christmas period.

MRS O'HANLON

Bexleyheath

GET STAFFED: So the police are looking for volunteers to man Belvedere police station (Police Appealing For Volunteer Staff, News Shopper, January 18). This is more Dad's Army than the face of a modern and efficient service. If the station needs to be open, it should be staffed by professionals, be they police officers or civilians. Strange how £300,000 was found to refurbish the commissioner's office suite, yet something which appears to be essential goes unfunded.

JOE COWLEY

Belvedere

TRAVEL TROUBLE: Does Mr Livingstone realise since putting up fares in January my husband and I have to pay £6 one way to visit either Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mary's hospitals for an early appointment. Does he know our passes are not valid until after 9am?

MRS M HATTON

Knee Hill