Whilst reading the Wiltshire Times, October 1, I saw the obituary for Mrs Elsie Underwood who died on 15 September at the grand age of 103.

I thought how wonderful it was that this remarkable, independent lady had had such a full life, retiring from a long nursing career when she was 73, travelling alone to Australia to visit her daughter at 89, and managing to care for herself up until the age of 102!

No one could fail to admire her for her spirit and general love of life.

So I was horrified, as I'm sure many of your other readers were, when I read that she was admitted to The Royal United Hospital aged 102 where some uncaring person told her she wouldn't live to see her 103rd birthday!

Whatever possessed them to say something like that? Every birthday she had must have made her shine with pride and given hope to many others. I hope the person who spoke to her in such an inhumane way reads this and hangs their head in shame.

Good for you Elsie.

K Evans

Bromham