WITH respect, the composer of your headline: "We love Swindon" must be the permanent wearer of rose tinted spectacles.

As a born and bred Swindonian I certainly loved the Swindon of my youth, but that ardour has long since cooled in light of the vandalism perpetrated by successive Swindon Councils, which includes the following.

Destruction of the swimming and boating facilities at Coate Water; failure to treasure and protect historically important buildings; and the irresponsible granting of pub licences which has converted Bridge Street into a no go area every weekend.

SBC seeks to compound this dismal record by sucking up to developers in the final rape of Coate Water Country Park.

Unbelievably in light of the above our new mayor still nurtures dreams of city status. I am disappointed that you have given your support to this patently brain washing exercise.

F AVENELL

Swindon