I HAVE read the View on the Street column ( December 6 issue) and am horrified to read the views expressed by Mrs Shirley Norgrove.

I find it astounding and frightening that in this day and age, racist and bigoted ideas are allowed to be expressed within the British press.

I am well aware of the extreme right-wing minority that unfortunately exists within this country, but I was not aware that they had the right to advertise their sick beliefs within the medium of local newspapers.

It must surely be apparent to even the most casual observer that the many problems that the NHS faces today, are a result of many years of underfunding and mismanagement by successive governments.

Britain is now recognised the world over as having one of the poorest healthcare systems in Europe. I find it very odd that "Johnny Foreigner" would choose our hospitals in which to be ill, when many British patients are choosing hospitals abroad!

Mrs Norgrove might like to take into consideration the fact that being born English means that each one of us are descended from "foreigners" that at one time emigrated to this country.

I'm sorry if Mrs Norgrove was mistaken in the belief that the English race originated in Oldbury but I can assure her that we can all be classed as immigrants to this land at some point in our history.

Many people complain about the so-called terrible state of the nation. If this country is in a bad way, it is because of people like Mrs Norgrove who stir up racist hatred at every opportunity.

I hope and trust that your newspaper will take a more positive stand against such racists and xenophobes by refusing to print such offensive material in future.

I was truly shocked to see such attitudes in print in the year 2001.

ALISON DERRICK

Quinton Road West

Quinton