I am sure I am not the only person to be appalled by the recent cases of child cruelty - which have resulted in a child's death - and the excuses by the social workers involved.

When I saw the demonstration by social workers, I paid attention to see these people who were holding children's lives in their hands.

I am afraid what I saw did nothing to elevate my fears for the future.

It did not surprise me that they had interrupted a serious debate on breast cancer and tried to divert their own inadequacy against what is a serious subject.

I can only quote Councillor Pat Hawkins: "That for someone who is supposedly a caring professional to interrupt such a serious debate is, at the very least, insensitive."

-G Griffiths, Palmeira Square, Hove