SIR – We have lived in the Pershore area for 40 years. I am 83 and my husband nearly 85.

I thought I would tell your readers a short story.

We were flooded in 2007 and we had to live in our kitchen for five years. This was due to the lack of help from the insurance company.

We have just about got our lives back to normal.

Both my husband and myself are keen gardeners.

On the front of the house are about 14 planters. We also have a lot of hanging baskets.

Many people admire our garden, even the people who pass in the coaches wave and give me the thumbs up.

However, we had a shock on Saturday.

Some person had emptied the compost and plants. What had they done? Stolen the wire planters. Why do people do things like this – have they no conscience?

We have gone to the trouble to plant all the containers and now we are beginning to wonder if it is worth all our work.

MRS M THOMPSON Pinvin