MY first 14 years in the UK were spent in Shropshire, my grandparents' house was in a splendid position in Oakengates, where I awakened every morning looking at a glorious hill, all 1,334ft of it. It was called the Wrekin.

It is a treasure produced by nature, many, many years ago.

No one is truly sure of its origin.

It has been enjoyed by generations of people from far off for many years

To read that part of the Wrekin is to be sold is akin to being told Coate Water Park is being sold off.

Wiltshire is not alone at being the target of the Prescott dream for the spread of concrete and Tarmac.

Shropshire is being gradually eaten away by so-called progress. And the Wrekin is in the way like Coate.

R N DERBYSHIRE

Park North

Swindon