But axing day services for the elderly seems far too easy a target to save cash.

Social services propose closing four centres across the city that offer a vital lifeline for pensioners. For many older people it is the only proper human contact they get.

Charities and support groups worry it will mean many older people will no longer set foot outside their homes.

Research carried out by Help The Aged recently revealed that 17,000 elderly people in Yorkshire and the Humber have gone a full month in the last year without speaking to any family or neighbours.

It is too convenient to shut down services claiming they are not being used enough. We should be doing more to encourage pensioners to use day services. Free minibuses to and from their homes would soon swell numbers.

At this rate we all have a grim future ahead of us.

One that sees the elderly couped up in their homes with little but the telly for company.


Looking up

THE announcement this week that work was stopping on the Lumiere skyscraper was a big blow for Leeds.

Building the tallest residential building in Europe was set to move Leeds up a league and allow it to compete with some of the very best cities around the world.

Developers are still confident it will go ahead but it's not the only casualty of the current climate.

The Spiracle tower block and award-winning Green Bank apartments scheme have also bitten the dust.

But it's important to remember the many other projects that have been built or will be with us in the near future.

Clarence Dock has helped transform the city's waterfront and the arrival of new restaurants and shops will make it an exciting place to be.

The same goes for Granary Wharf, while the confirmation that John Lewis will anchor the new Eastgate Quarter is also cause for celebration.

Then there are the other projects that we cannot allow to fall by the wayside – top of that list is the Leeds Arena.

Leeds has come a long way in recent years. Despite the downs we mustn't lose sight of the ups.


Cheer them on

WHATEVER the uncertain weather ruins for you this weekend spare a thought for Mike and Rebecca Tomlinson.

The dad-and-daughter team are cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End for Rebecca's mum Jane's charity.

Give them some money if you can spare it. In this weather they'll earn every penny.