I WRITE with reference to the front-page article outlining the proposed Ann Summers shop in the High Street.

I don't know why there is such opposition to a shop that from the frontage will look no different to any other shop.

I must ask the question - has the Mayor ever been into one of the shops of this chain? I think not.

As a representative of the company said in the article, there are signs on the door pointing out that anyone entering the shop must be of the minimum age of 18.

As for the shops inside, they are very modern and the products laid out in very tasteful way.

As for the attitudes of the Worcester residents who were asked for their opinions, it is no surprise to me that this is one of the reasons why we have the highest teenage pregnancy rate anywhere in the European Union.

As a nation, we will not face the issue of sex and the education of our children on this subject.

We just want to brush the issue under the carpet or "hide it down a back street" as one of the residents expressed.

This is not facing the issue but making the sex industry out to be something that is illegal and seedy.

I have been to Cardiff where the Ann Summers chain has one of their shops on the high street.

It looks no different to any other shop that sells underwear. The shop in Cardiff High Street but has been accepted and is well used by people of the requested age limit.

If this city wants to compete with larger surrounding towns and fantastic road links then it needs a wider variety of shops to do this.

CHRIS SMART,

Worcester.