ON the very day of the local elections (May 3), the Hereford Times' editorial stressed the importance of voting, and expressed the opinion that this opportunity to take part in local decision making was vital. Indeed, you suggested that not to do so was tantamount to a crime.

The Hereford Times, May 10 reported that the turnout was one of the lowest recorded: that made dismal reading.

The detailed results on pages six and seven of the HT proved most interesting. In fact they were depressingly interesting for all the wrong reasons! Regardless of your political point of view, the low turnout in so many wards must be of great concern for all those who cherish democracy.

St Martin's and Hinton ward saw less than 20% vote. With three other wards (Belmont, Leominster North, Ross-on-Wye West) producing a turnout of less than a quarter of their electorates, this was very worrying.

Only two wards (Castle and Frome wards) out of a total of 40 had a turnout of more than 50%.

However, all those who did not bother to vote, for whatever reason, will still voice their criticisms about council plans and actions in the forthcoming days, weeks and years.

Indeed, I have already met four men during the course of my work who did not vote yet feel quite capable of voicing their considerable resentment towards the council - what hypocrites.

DAVID WEEKS, Holme Lacy Road, Hereford.