We read with great interest your article published regarding the state of Dartmouth’s Royal Avenue Gardens.

I was on a week’s holiday in Dartmouth with my mum, who was born in Dartmouth, where I lived until I was eight.

My mum has visited often but I haven’t so much.

We were, therefore, very shocked and sad to see how the gardens have deterorated.

The fish pond area especially – where I used to love going to as a child.

Rubbish, of course, is an issue everywhere and while sitting in the gardens we noticed two teenagers leaving their rubbish behind.

The bin was only about two feet away from them but I don’t expect it would of made any difference if it had been in front of them.

Hopefully, when Dartmouth Town Council takes control over the gardens, it will improve them.

Yvonne Gillies, nee Pike, and Myra Galloway, nee Pearce

Crown Mews, Hungerford