MAY I comment on the rambling diatribe that was M. Jones' of Cinderford's letter published in the Review of (w/e July 21).

Personally, I favour neither store over the other, but if we are to 'take stock', then let us be rational about it.

It would seem that M. Jones would be happier if Tesco were sited away from the town centre.

How short are people's memories? It is not that many years ago that Tesco sought planning approval to build on what was the Hollywood Garden Centre. However, the policy of the govenment of the day was to limit the number of out-of-town supermarkets and on this basis, permission was refused.

Who led the campaign to achieve this result? – The Co-op. Incidentally there was no such objection to hide a couple of hundred yards away.

As for the number of Tesco stores, I would point out that, apart from Cinderford, there are Co-ops at Coleford, Mitchledean, Newent plus nine more in various districts in Gloucester.

I must not miss out the various branhces of Somerfields, now owned by the Co-op.

I trust the forgoing redresses the balance a little. – Alan G. Fieldhouse, Ruardean Hill.