I'M not normally a letter writer but I felt I must reply to Mrs Pennock's letter. She mentioned Amanda Watkins four times in it and I am one of her supporters and I expect she enjoyed the publicity.

You don't have to live in Cinderford to know there are 200 houses being built there. It has been in the Press for some time now.

I am sure there will be more than two to a house. Asda does advertise on TV also in the Daily Mail but first their offers.

You say you shop in the Co-op, Sainsbury's and Lidl. You should go there and see what a good shop it is. I shop in more than one shop. I like Waitrose but Asda is my main shop.

As for Co-op staff shopping in Lidl, Some years ago I worked in a supermarket but even with 10 per cent discount, I and my friends shopped elsewhere.

Not many people today show loyalty to one store. There is so much unemployment that people have to shop where there is value for money.

I am fortunate that my husband is self-employed so I am not in that position but I feel for people who face hardship.

Beales closed because their lease ran out but they probably didn't want to stay in a dying town. I don't wish to be rude to Mrs Pennock but how you talk you must be an OAP. Think of young people with families who will be able to go to Asda and buy their children's clothes.

Also there are two buses an hour to Steam Mills. I am young enough to have a very good memory of when Co-op was trying to stop Tesco opening. They promised to make many many improvements in Cinderford. I'm sure I'm not the only one to remember that.

What have they done? Nothing. Asda will win at the end of the day and the Co-op will still keep their loyal customers. I am not one of them.

– Mrs J Roberts, Cinderford.