I FEEL strongly about the appalling state of our town, especially since coming home yesterday to find that someone had been sick in my driveway!

It was the last straw. I suggest these 10 Commandments, to attain a far, far better quality of life for ALL people in our community before attempting to achieve a city goal.

1. Refrain from throwing litter in streets, on pavements, in parks, lakes, rivers and canals.

2. Keep the rat plague under strict control.

3. Ensure that all buildings, such as the David Murray John Tower, are maintained at the highest standard and preserve the few remaining historic buildings for posterity.

4. Refrain from spitting, swearing, urinating and vomiting in all public places.

5. Strive for the very highest standard in education that prioritises citizenship i.e. care, courtesy, concern and respect towards fellow human beings (and all living creatures), so that future parents help to stem the yob culture.

6. Prevent bullying, theft and all anti-social behaviour by being prepared to stand up and be counted.

7. Respect the privacy of others by curtailing the indiscriminate use of mobile phones and the obvious danger of their use when driving.

8. Prioritise (in the 30-year plan) the dismal "gateway to Swindon" when arriving by train.

9. That successful businesses contribute more generously to the town in which they have achieved that success.

10. Ensure that the cultural, artistic, aesthetic and healthcare needs of the people in our town take priority over the hype, energy, time and money that was given to the premature bid for city status.

Let us first become a splendid town! Only then can we begin to consider striking a city goal.

MARY RATCLIFFE

Old Town