SINCE I left Worcester back in the 1960s to live in Australia, I have made some 40 or so visits back to my home city.

My wife and I, and indeed our four children, have also taken great pleasure over the years in visiting the Royal Worcester factory and have all created quite a decent collection of china.

I was in the city a couple of weeks ago and had bought quite a few nice things, although felt that there was not too much to be excited about this year.

My wife happened to check the bottom of an item and discovered to her surprise and my horror, that it had been made in Portugal.

We then checked other items and found that they had been made in the Czech Republic and Sri Lanka respectively. I was appalled at this discovery.

I do understand that we live in a global economic market place but this is madness.

Worcester china not made in Worcester becomes a nonsense.

At least they had the decency to state that the china was made in another country.

But in future I shall be checking every item, so that I will know that my "Worcester" china has actually been made in Worcester. It's not good enough.

ROGER GREGORY,

Winston Hills,

NSW 2153 Australia.