MADAM -– Respectfully, I would remind Chris Jockel (SNJ 11/02/15) that we live in a nuclear age and sadly nuclear weapons are a reality. No one more than I wishes they had never seen the light of day, but they do exist and mankind must learn to live with them.

That is the naked truth.

It is also too simplistic thinking that if the Trident weapons system were cancelled, the budget would be channelled to a more worthy cause.

Alternatively, to leave our country defenceless would be blind folly. Right-thinking people consider the prospect of a nuclear conflict with horror, but sadly there are lunatics who do not and therefore we must defend our borders with the latest deterrents.

Francis Ray

Stroud