I WAS nearly swayed by correspondence from Ruth Bramfitt of Hexham’s Town Twinning Association ( Courant Letters , May 27) to consider placing a vote for Remain on June 23.

The money received from the EU for the North-East sounded very impressive, together with their support for the village halls of Tynedale.

Until I compared this ‘investment’ with the amount we give them. I have long thought it somewhat absurd that we give some of our money to the Treasury, for it to send some to Brussels so that we can then ask the EU for some of it back.

The bureaucracy required to circulate this money is not cheap. The EU might like to think it has pots of money to give away for deserving causes; but it is not its money.

I am sure we don’t really need Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg to supervise our relationships with other countries and the large costs associated with it.

JOHN MARTIN,

Fourstones