Harry Escott, of Fairview Road, Dartmouth, writes:

Writing in reply to 'readers letters' is something I do not normally engage in, on this occasion I feel that one of your correspondents, and perhaps some of your readers, are guilty of giving one store in the town a bad reputation, and I strongly disagree.

The Sainsbury's store in Dartmouth has been a brilliant asset to the town, not just in the fact that it brings good products, good prices and good service to the general public, not to mention all the local jobs it creates, it has always created good community relationships across a broad range of charities and community projects, these I believe are just too many to mention.

In my capacity as chairman of the Dart Lifeboat, I approached Sainsbury's on numerous occasions for help, in donations of products and the use of the store for collections and bag packing etc.. Never was I refused help, and in fact the store has 'gone the extra mile' many times.

This is not a store which 'rejects' requests for help, but it is a fact that the store is one of the smallest in the Sainsbury's portfolio and, in consequence, has to bring a measure of restraint when assessing how it can help charities, such as the foodbank.

All stores in the town are limited when it comes to finding space for 'bins' for collections, Without a sensible approach they would all probably be filled with 'bins' and no space for customers.

In my experience, our Sainsbury's is the 'small store with the big heart' and will continue to be so.

I certainly will continue to support the store and if Gilly Ridout, Letters, March 30, prefers to remain in Chillington, then so be it. Perhaps supporting her 'local store' is what she should be doing anyway.