I WOULD remind Dorothy Ormesher (Letters, January 26) that, through the foreign aid programme, Britain already helps Third World countries. The £30 million being added from National Lottery proceeds is on top of existing aid.

Call me selfish and uncaring, but I believe that Britain needs that lottery money to help its own people rather than helping people abroad.

Of course I feel sorry for the poor people abroad. But I am far more concerned that our children, when they leave school, have a job to go to and that our health and education services receive additional funds so that they can be of benefit to the British people.

Sorry, Dorothy, but charity begins at home.

I thank G Smith (Letters, January 26) for his suggestion that I write to the Heritage Secretary about not sending the £30 million abroad. However, I have already written to Mrs Bottomley on this issue.

D PEARSON (Mr), Kendal Street, Blackburn.

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