Michael Lever's letter (Your Letters, May 21) would have raised some eyebrows at local council offices.

He claims Len Huff's warning over the future dominance of Tesco was blinkered. When Tesco are on record as looking to dominate the UK High Street, I'd say Len was reporting factually.

Mr Lever goes on to suggest a solution which involves compulsory purchase of land in Ledbury.

Where he thinks the council would get money from to buy land to aid Ledbury's traffic and parking issues I don't know.

Len's chairmanship of LITA has overseen many successful schemes which have benefited the independent traders and helped make the town the thriving place it is today at zero or small cost. We'd obviously welcome further such suggestions which don't impact ratepayers' or traders' pockets unduly.

Finally, the thorny problem of independent traders. Would it matter if major stores opened in Ledbury at the expense of smaller, privately owned shops? It certainly would if they are allowed to open on the outskirts of town and Malvern is just one sorry example of the impact of such a scenario.

Ledbury is bound to attract larger stores as its prosperity grows, the commercial reality is these organisations have the financial status that allows them to move in, price out competition and capitalise.

As small traders we can't compete with that sort of muscle. We can offer better service, better selections and/or goods from local suppliers, and hopefully local people will appreciate what we can offer.

If they don't, so be it. But I'd rather live in a town where shops deliver, where they know who I am and care.

Steve Kirkwood, The Homend, Ledbury.