Like many other people, I watched the BBC1 Panorama programme on Monday night.

I can say I was absolutely disgusted with what I saw.

I am from Southmead and have always been proud, despite always being judged for being from a "rough inner city council estate". I am university educated and have always been proud of where I come from.

Southmead is not an inherently racist place; in fact I have witnessed successful integration with people from many different backgrounds coming to live in Southmead.

The attitudes of those ignorant animals are the minority. The majority of people from Southmead are hard working, tolerant and kind.

It is a shame the programme could not show a balanced view and show the good work that is happening on the estate, but I guess that would not make very good television.

Helen Scott, address supplied.

I AM shocked by what I saw on Panorama.

The most shocking aspect was the behaviour of the very young people. As a teacher and play worker, I am horrified to know we have such ignorant children in our city who then grow up into ignorant adults.

I applaud the two young adults of Asian origin who put themselves forward as guinea pigs to find out the extent of racism in Southmead Bristol, they were extremely brave.

I was shocked by their lack of knowledge about the world and the war and gun games one of the young people was playing; it was as if he was in a Playstation game or a film.

They didn't seem to have a clue they were hurting and ruining the lives of others at all. I can only conclude their own lives must be ruined; just how badly you treat others is often a reflection of how bad you feel yourself.

How can we tackle this? It looks like some self-pride workshops are needed with these young people and a massive apology to the two young adults from Manchester.

Belinda French, St Werburghs (where we all live in harmony).

I WAS shocked and appalled to see the horrific racist abuse the BBC's Panorama uncovered in Southmead.

It was deeply disturbing to watch and I hope the police have enough evidence to follow up on some specific examples.

Despite this we must remember that Southmead is becoming a much more balanced and sustainable community. There are still pockets of poverty and deprivation but there has been new housing built, many of the primary schools are improving fast and Southmead has lots of wonderful green space, albeit in great need of further investment.

There is also a real sense of community and of neighbourliness, whether that is the various churches working together on projects such as the Noise, the frequent community events and celebrations, or the charities and social enterprises such as the Southmead Project working tirelessly to support people.

Panorama exposed a nasty side of Bristol that I am sure all of us wish was not there.

But shocking though it was, we must not assume that all of Southmead is like that. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Paul Harrod, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP, Bristol North West.

I WATCHED Panorama documenting the racial abuse on the Southmead estate and would like to say I am ashamed to be from Bristol.

The behaviour displayed by the residents was despicable and I commend the reporters who put themselves though that dreadful ordeal to make the country aware of what is happening to these poor people. I am especially disgusted with the behaviour of the children in the documentary; I would be so ashamed if my child ever behaved in such a way and worse still shown on national television. As much as I appreciate these horrible people are in the minority, it creates an enormous problem for our society and something more needs to be done.

We are all the same, we just have different shades of skin and come from different places in the world; how long is it going to take these people to accept this?

Name and address supplied.

IN some ways I wish that I had not watched Panorama this week; in 69 years I have never been so ashamed of being a Bristolian.

Unfortunately the disgusting behaviour has not come as a complete surprise but it was quite a shock to see my worst fears materialise in such a graphic manner.

It is a shame that many decent Bristolians will now be labelled as racist thugs, simply because a small minority who would make an dyslexic amoeba look intelligent choose to behave in such an appalling way towards persons who are so obviously superior to them in every way.

Ray Eves, address supplied.