AS I arrived for work this morning it was a particularly lovely day. Passing me in the street were a number of happy smiling children together in many cases with their little brothers and sisters, sometimes their pets and, of course, their mothers all heading in the direction of the local primary school.

A scene repeated throughout the world, but which will now forever be tainted by the appalling obscenity that took place in that Russian town last week and which is probably not so very different from ours. There is no doubt that this has plumbed new depths of depravity, which can never be justified under any circumstances.

I am sure there is not one amongst us who will not feel genuine anger and revulsion for what happened and at the same time have the deepest sympathy and compassion for the victims and those that are left to mourn.

Richard Leonard

Menfreya

Thorndon Cross

Okehampton