hello Ann,

ok, I have modified the domains:

ALTER DOMAIN CH_PROVINCE_LONG_NAME TYPE VARCHAR(30);
ALTER DOMAIN CH_REGION_NAME TYPE VARCHAR(30);

Then I have opened the database with IBExpert and I have tried to edit a
record and the affected fields didn't appear padded, instead they appeared
perfectly trimmed in the edit boxes as they were before. Even examining the
database with a hex editor it appears ok. The length word just before the
field indicates the correct number of characters actually in the field. I
forgot to mention that I'm using Firebird 1.5.2.

I had initially thought to make a simple:

UPDATE PROVINCES SET LONG_NAME = LONG_NAME;
UPDATE REGIONS SET NAME = NAME;

but since I didn't know if these statements could be useful to eliminate
eventual extra spaces, I haven't used them.

Anyway, problem resolved in a very quick and brilliant way :-)

Thank you
Salvatore