IT seems that as health and safety legislation comes through the door, common sense goes out of the window.

The latest example is Malvern Hills District Council's decision to ban parking on its Council House car park during the Friday market, a decision that leaves 20 car parking spaces empty and the remaining stallholders frustrated.

That it was possible to park close to the stalls is among the main reasons the market is still being used.

The council must be concerned about public safety, not least on its own car park, but there must have been a way of organising the layout of stalls and movement of vehicles which would have made things easier without the need to ban parking.

The result has been people parking illegally at the entrance to the car park, which is even more dangerous. A common sense solution is required or the decision will spell the end of the market.

NO doubt about the most heart-warming story in today's newspaper, it's the picture of John and Kim McDonough cuddling the twin baby girls they never believed they would have, after nine years of trying and two unsuccessful IVF attempts.

Having endured 12 years of the same agony before the ecstasy of being able to cuddle my little boy, also the result of IVF treatment, I know how good that feels.

John and Kim benefited from a free treatment on the NHS, something not all health authorities provide. The desire for a baby can seriously effect your health and that is something which ought to be more widely recognised.

While the NHS can't fund everything, at least one free IVF treatment can be worth every penny.

Nick Howells