SIR - I recently had occasion to walk down that well-known thoroughfare known as Upper and Lower Tything.

I was very impressed by the recent change of businesses. Now we are seeing a rejuvenation of this lovely area, which has been sadly neglected for years in this growing supermarket' age we are now living in.

We now have a delightful coffee shop and delicatessen, a small dress hire shop, where once stood the boozer.

We are also having a growth of convenience stores, which are a great boom for the elderly residents in the area.

We also have a chemist, newsagent, hairdresser and Age Concern shop where exciting things can be purchased at very little cost.

Things certainly are looking up for the Barbourne residents. I remember with affection this area in the 30s when you didn't need to go to town. You had everything on your doorstep literally.

Well done to these new entrepreneurs. Napoleon was certainly right when he said England was a nation of shopkeepers.

CONSTANCE BOWCOTT, Worcester.