MS L PREIGH, of Above Town, Dartmouth, writes:

It seems sad that it takes a visiting American to draw attention to the steady decline the town has experienced over the last few years, Letters, August 12.

Most townspeople are aware of this and should point the finger at those in so-called authority over the town’s affairs. These people are of poor quality and have allowed standards to slip alarmingly.

The town looks like a council tip on Wednesday mornings; we have non-stop intrusive guitar music in the Royal Avenue Gardens; and what appears to resemble a multi-storey car park by the Ship in Dock.

Most buildings are gull bespattered (Are the gulls dead painters and decorators, perhaps?) and our greatest asset, the river, has coasted into mediocrity with failing management.

What a pity the authorities are not one tenth as successful as our Olympians.

Socks appear to be at sub-ankle level and should be pulled up swiftly.