SIR – It was a disgrace to see people burning fires in celebration of Margaret Thatcher’s death – even more shocking that some of those doing so were still in their nappies or not even born when she was in power.

For sure, Mrs T was no angel and did her share of damage, but she remains the strongest leader this country has had in my life-time.

I noticed comments made about the sinking of the Belgrano and General [Augusto] Pinochet.

Yet the facts here are simple.

At the time of sinking the Belgrano we were at war with Argentina. What if this ship had been left alone and gone on to sink one of our ships and so killing British troops?

Some of those spouting vile comments may have lost relations in the process.

As for General Pinochet, whatever his crimes in his own country [Chile], he was the only leader in South America at the time who offered help and assistance to our troops heading for the Falklands.

Any decent leader would not forget such help in times of a crisis and never turn their backs on them afterwards.

G B DIPPER

Leominster