MY return to Hereford after a gap of three years was most disappointing.

What on earth has happened to the fine city centre that used to be a delight for any visitor?

Telephone conversations and e-mails had led me to believe that modernisation' had occurred to both High Town and Eign Gate, but what greeted me was far worse than I had imagined.

Both my wife and I imagined our Herefordian friends had exaggerated the ghastly modernisation' that had occurred in the lovely centre of Hereford. But, they most definitely had not.

Having read the letter from Kip Waistell concerning the amounts of money spent on various projects in the city centre, I can only agree that the money has been largely wasted.

That the city at the heart of an agricultural haven is rather devoid of greenery, or reference points emphasising its unique history, was most disappointing.

However, I would stress that both the friendliness and affability of Herefordians have not diminished over the years.

PAUL HUGHES, Ryde, Isle of Wight.