THE Countryside Alliance mass London demonstration in their 'March for Liberty and Livelihood' suffered the inevitable criticism savoured by that section of the marchers assiduously intent upon making their point relative to the conservation of ' blood-sports' when, in reality, the majority of the third of a million demonstrators were highlighting a whole raft of issues particular to rural marginalisation, including; education, where rural schools are struggling to stay open and, in some instances, dependent on charity handouts to keep their heads above water.

Rural areas too are the hardest hit by the highest fuel taxes in the whole of Europe.

Village pubs and post offices are closing at the rate of 100 a day.

Clearing banks are practically non-existent in many villages around the UK and they too are closing at an alarming rate.

Rural policing is being given minimal priority.

Public transport facilities are at an all time low and where they do exist fares are almost prohibitive.

Rural roads are in a shameful state of disrepair, fractured and draconian in structure.

More than 60,000 rural jobs have been lost in the last decade through farmlands failing or drastic cutbacks in rural orientated industries.

More and more rural dwellers are forced to commute to sustain jobs.

Hospitals and clinics are receding in rural areas forcing residents to have to travel unacceptable distances for medical and social care.

Even chemists are leaving villages because of unacceptable higher expenditure pressures on their practices.

In addition to their social and livelihood problems country dwellers are expected to involved themselves wholeheartedly in the interminable battle to tame and come to terms with nature for the benefit of the national heritage and millions of townspeople who escape to the countryside to enjoy glorious landscapes and walks through areas of outstanding natural beauty.

This is out real national heritage, capable of spinning billions of pounds to support our ailing economy.

All of this is serviced by poorly paid rural workers fortified by countless dedicated volunteers from all walks of life who give their time and energy to help preserve and save our countryside environment together with its rich wildlife from becoming an entangled mesh of bracken and objectionable species of plant life and to conserve our craft-built dry-stone walling and our easily negotiable rural pathways.

These are the direct and positive issues that enthused the Countryside Alliance to bring to our notice their genuine plight when they marched around London on Sunday, seeking Liberty - Livelihoods and Justice.

Richard Grave, Fulwood Drive, Torrisholme.