I'M A Glasgow expat now living in Australia.

I lived in Govanhill from 1967 until 1986 and two years ago I went back and was completely appalled at how much the area has changed.

Walking around, at the lights between Allison Street and Victoria Road, I was approached by two young children who asked me for money.

The atmosphere of the area had changed dramatically and for the worse.

I have been looking at photos online of the fly-tipping that is currently going on in the area and reading what locals there have to say.

It is clear that the current situation in Govanhill is causing mental health issues, a risk of disease, accidents and a devaluation of surrounding properties.

I hope to visit Govanhill again at the end of the year, I would love to feel safe to show my children and husband the area where I grew up.

Lucy Browne Via e-mail

Respect is due

IS RICHARD Young (Letters, February 19) suggesting Catholic schools are the cause of divisions? If he is, then he is wrong. Children in Catholic schools are taught too respect all creeds, regardless of faith.

John Paul McGurk Glasgow

Take a bow

Evening Times readers of a certain age will have heaved a deep sigh of sadness on hearing the news that Hollywood's greatest child movie star, the unforgettable Shirley Temple, had died.

How well I remember my mother dressing up my wee sister in a frilly Shirley Temple dress she had bought at the Barras, before setting off to the cinema to see Shirley starring in Baby Take A Bow.

Never again will Hollywood see a child star with the movie magic of Shirley Temple.

Phil McCusker South Side

Not so fine

well done to The Evening Times, and reporter Linzi Watson, for keeping Glasgow City Council's bus lane fines in the headlines.

The council have chosen a most deliberate, and pre-planned policy of targeting motorists who enter these craftily sited bus lanes.

Many of our city's motorists have been branded criminals.

The total figure means that 67,651 motorists were fined. In reality that means that there are a lots of criminals, driving about Glasgow.

John Watcher Posted online

Street of shame

The BBC programme on Sauchiehall Street did as much for our image as the razor gangs. The throngs of foul-mouthed violent drunks were dreadful and that was just the girls. The shop owners were little better.

The violent attack on the busker, Melo, was the lowlight.

Where were the police? Probably fining some drunk.

Glasgow is not as bad as was painted. The show was sensationalist, with very little balance to the programme.

Tom Kent Glasgow