Madam, It is good that there is a debate emerging on the topic of single sex marriage. To my mind there had been a risk of the issue being quietly sidelined. Not, on this occasion, so much because of apathy but perhaps because of a fear that people care too much and are reluctant to express an opinion because it will provoke shock, offence or condemnation, whether for or against the proposed change.

The recent response of Mrs Herriot to the letter of Mrs Smith in your January 16th edition could not illustrate more clearly my point. The tone of the letter printed latterly is nothing short of derisive. I have grown up, indeed grown old, with the belief that one of the beauties of living in this country is the respect we have for freedom of thought and speech, and tolerance of one another's views and actions, so long as they sit within the law and the general mores of the land. Both ladies are entitled to their opinions, but I find it hard to reconcile Mrs Herriot's liberal views on gay marriage with the way in which she deals with the perfectly valid expression of a heartfelt religious conviction.

Why should it be unacceptable to use the columns of a local paper to share views of any sort? I am mystified, and disappointed that a letter couched like this could discourage an adult discussion in your paper on something which could affect us and generations to come.

Heather Lovett, Hom Green