PROSTITUTION has been one of the most difficult problems for society to deal with over the centuries.And last winter's dreadful events in and around Ipswich provided a terrible focus for the argument about whether the sex trade should be legalised.

PROSTITUTION has been one of the most difficult problems for society to deal with over the centuries.

And last winter's dreadful events in and around Ipswich provided a terrible focus for the argument about whether the sex trade should be legalised.

Support for such a move has come from wide sections of society, including Ipswich vicar Rev Andrew Dotchin who was today speaking to parliamentarians and other civic leaders about dealing with street prostitution.

The time has certainly come when society can no longer turn its back on the subject of prostitution. Pretending it doesn't exist is certainly not an option.

Street prostitution, an activity which contributed to the death of five young women in Ipswich, is very dangerous and legalising the activity in licensed brothels may reduce the dangers.

There is, however, serious doubt about whether legalising prostitution would have a significant effect on the streets.

Prostitutes working in licensed brothels would need to undergo health checks - as would their clients - and the likelihood is that those who were drug dependent would not be allowed to work in the legalised business.

Most of the sex workers on the streets of Ipswich were lured into the business by their drug dependency.

Also many clients would not want anyone knowing who they were - however confidential the service was - and would prefer the anonymity of the red light area.

Despite all these problems, however, legalising prostitution could ease some of the pressures on sex workers and is certainly worth considering.

It would not be the perfect solution - street prostitutes will always be with us - but anything would be better than the dangerous world society has created now.

FELIXSTOWE definitely needs a fresh injection of investment to regenerate it as a resort - and some of the ideas being put forward for its future are exciting and imaginative.

The lack of action over the past 20 years has left parts of the seafront looking tired and tatty while other seaside towns have moved on, creating new and modern attractions to keep the visitors coming.

Felixstowe hasn't been without ideas - proposals for the south seafront at one time looked amazing, and the rejuvenation of the pier with a huge revolving restaurant was an exciting scheme - but the political will has not been there to take on big projects to reshape the town.

Now there is a change in the wind and everyone seems agreed that radical action is needed. Let's just hope that driving force is real this time and at last the town will see much-needed development happen.

SUFFOLK'S cricketers have helped bring a smile to the face of the county's sports fans during the summer with their progress to Lords and now a fine win over Northumberland in the Minor Counties' Championship.

This was marked by the award of three caps to star players Ben France, Nick Lee, and Justin Bishop.

At a time when there is concern about some other major sports in the county, it is good to see that our cricketers are doing the county proud.