I NOTE a report headed Call to get tough on vandals, commenting on remarks quoted by Cllr Terry Chivers about thousands of pounds' worth of damage being done in his own ward.

His solution to this situation is, apparently, "bringing back national service, and corporal punishment in schools."

No doubt Cllr Chivers is too young to remember that National Service was a duty to the thousands of 'two year' soldiers, called up all over the country in time of need, unless they were in reserved occupations.

They were not called up because they had some criminal record or because they had been beaten at school...corporal punishment, no less.

They were fighting in Malaysia, in Korea and throughout the world, as part of our armed services, protecting the peace as well as fighting, as our soldiers do so well today.

As a National Serviceman in the Royal Engineers for two years, I consider uninformed opinions about National Service 50 years ago need correction.

M BOWEN

Bradford on Avon town councillor

Bradford on Avon