WE used to be a great and humane people. We helped free much of Europe from the tyranny of Hitler. But we helped create the problems in the Middle East.

And now we stand by and watch while thousands of people fleeing the Syrian conflict die. This is not worthy of us. We should be offering sanctuary to these desperate people, not watching from the sidelines while they perish.

We must call for our politicians to step up and make us proud to be British once more.

ALISON MATTHEWS Cusop