Builder Gordon Moore says the surrounding countryside is the best thing about Swindon Ref: 77623-07SWINDON... AND PROUD OF IT: GORDON Moore has got to be one of Swindon's proudest residents.

He was born and brought up in the town and says that in all his travels he has never found a better place than Swindon.

Gordon, 45, a bricklayer is married to Gillian, 42, and has three children, Misty, 18, Carly, 16, and Amy 14, and one granddaughter, Amelia, who is three weeks old.

He said: "I worked all over the country and the world as a bricklayer and I've never found anywhere else that's as good as Swindon.

"You can't go north, south, east or west of Swindon without finding somewhere really nice to visit.

"It's just my home town and I'm dead proud of the place.

"My wife grew up in Penhill and she loves the town too.

"I expect my family will stay in the area.

"The best thing about it is the surrounding countryside and the happy-go- lucky attitude of the true Swindon people."

On Monday the Evening Advertiser reported that designer Wayne Hemingway said Swindon has among the worst housing estates in the country.

And, after reading his comments, Gordon says he would like to give him a piece of his mind.

"I really think he is talking out of his rear end," he said.

"You can't just come off the motorway, visit the town then start slagging it off."

He believes that Mr Hemingway should be given the chance to see the true Swindon.

"This Hemingway should be shown the sights of Swindon," he said.

"He needs to be take to places like Coate Water Park, Lawn and the Peatmoor Lagoon.

"Maybe someone from the council should do it I wouldn't have the time."