I'VE never felt as uneasy about my town as when I read some of the unpleasant comments that accompanied a story we had on our website about a Melissa Day trying to make life easier for asylum seekers.

I'VE never felt as uneasy about my town as when I read some of the unpleasant comments that accompanied a story we had on our website about a Melissa Day trying to make life easier for asylum seekers.

The sheer hatred expressed by some writers for people who did not speak English as their first language or had skin a different colour from most of us was breathtaking - as was their ignorance of what it is like to be an asylum seeker.

What was also significant was that the most vitriolic comments came from people hiding behind a pseudonym like PC Plod or Mrs Anonymous. Not only are their views nasty, they are cowards as well.

A more balanced view came from Nick Kabay, who summed up the position very well:

“I love this town and as such I'm little short of disgusted by the vitriolic comments posted on this subject. I'm sure that most of you would want nothing to do with the BNP, but most of you might as well be reading stuff straight out of their propaganda leaflets.

“Before you dismiss me as a left-wing loon/do-gooder, I deal with refugees/asylum seekers/migrant workers on a daily basis and while, as with ANY group of individuals you get your bad apples, the great majority of those who I've met are only to willing to work and contribute to a society that they are GRATEFUL has taken them in.

“Current government legislation prevents asylum seekers from taking paid employment. I sincerely hope that you lot are not representative of the population at large.

“Face facts, whether you like it or not, they are not all being sent home tomorrow and as such you have to grow up and adapt. No doubt some of you expressed the same opinions when we had an influx of people from the West Indies and the Asian sub-continent.

“Is that still an acceptable viewpoint to hold? I hope not!

“Before you come back with the argument about being in a recession/not having enough room or resources etc, the UK is still one of the world's richest countries, way richer than any country they've come from.

“If you were an economic migrant, I reckon that you'd do the same thing.

“Besides, Miss Day was talking about asylum seekers. You don't flee from your homes/families/careers for the hell of it, do you! Do yourselves a favour. Make a point of getting to know an asylum seeker. If you do I don't think that you'll post the sort of rubbish you have any more!”

Well said, Nick.