HILARY STEVENSON, of Town Close, Dartmouth, writes:

Last week's article about the proposed reduction in the number of gardeners who look after Dartmouth's open spaces really shocked me.

These unsung heroes keep the spectacular Royal Avenue Gardens and all the town's other beautiful green areas looking so lovely with only three workers.

South Hams Council cannot be serious in its proposal to reduce the number to two.

Have the 'bean counters' even been down to Dartmouth to see the work these wonderful people do? Have they witnessed how much pleasure these gardens give to everyone; young and old, residents and visitors, on a daily basis?

At the present time, with all the trees in blossom and the spring bulbs in profusion, everything looks particularly glorious. It is a credit to the three gardeners that they manage to maintain all these areas as they do – reducing their number to two would be utterly shameful, not to say disastrous.

Is Dartmouth becoming the 'poor relation' in the Kingsbridge-Totnes-Dartmouth triangle?

All three towns have similar-sized populations and yet it seems that Dartmouth often seems to be the one singled out for cuts. We already have to drive to Totnes or Kingsbridge to recycle bulky waste and garden rubbish. 'Hands off our gardeners' I say!