WITH reference to your article of October 5 on Rachel Hetherington, I would like to say how much I admired her courage, determination and enjoyment of life right to the end of her life.

I was her tutor at University College Worcester for four years and found her to be an enthusiastic student who did well in her studies and obtained a good degree - an upper second class honours.

She was looking forward to her career as a teacher and she would have been a good addition to the profession if she had had the opportunity to achieve her ambition. She was energetic and lively, well liked by her peers and tutors, and successfully managed a full student life as well as being committed to her young son. I never saw any signs of depression even on days when she must have been feeling ill.

I'm sure her son will exhibit some of the fine qualities she showed in her life. I am only sorry that her life was cut short.

DR MEGAN SLADE,

St John's,

Worcester.