SIR – May I ask for the hospitality of your columns to thank several people who helped me when I fell full length at the corner of St Swithin’s Street and the Cross last Thursday lunchtime.

A young man named Chris who said that he lives in the new flats at the bottom of Broad Street got me on my feet, a young woman, whose name I did not get, used her mobile phone to call the paramedics, and several other bystanders offered help and sympathy. There was plenty of bloody about and they did not flinch. My deepest thanks to them all.

Of course, I should have been looking where I was going. Fair comment. The pavement curb is particularly awkward at the point where I fell.

However, the paving stones and curbs in the High Street and the Cross are badly laid.

I know of one elderly person who visits the centre of the city as infrequently as possible just for that reason and I have heard of another who never goes into the High Street at all just because of the uneven surfaces. There may be others.

Perhaps it is time that someone who knows how to do it puts it right.

THE REV CANON PETER J WINSTONE,

Worcester.