SIR - Once again I must ask, am I the only one who is saddened, appalled and even ashamed, at the declining standards in this country?

The latest fad is going without a shave or a tie in public.

I am not saying go back to wing-collars, but when our Prime Minister and others in the Government cannot even be bothered to dress properly, it sets a very bad example to rest of us - and the whole world.

Most people watch television and believe and copy what they see on screen, so the media has a powerful influence on life in general, including dress standards.

The regular mantra in reply to the charge of lowering standards is "we reflect real life". This may well be so but it isn't helping to maintain or raise standards in this country.

Coronation Street alone makes me want to do something really wild - like buy a bag of disposable razors and mail them to the cast with a note saying "for goodness sake, get yourself cleaned up".

Guys, it is not cool, it is scruffy - and Jamie Baldwin, I for one, don't want to kiss you.

Somebody once said - "standards, dear boy, standards".

Stanley D Parr, Pershore.