Derique MontautSWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: Sharayi Mashasha, of St Paul's Street, Gorse Hill

I moved to Swindon from Maidenhead last year and I must say that Swindon is a great town. The people are friendly, the streets are relatively safe, it's surrounded by gorgeous countryside and we have the Magic Roundabout! Swindon has a lot going for it and moving here was the best decision I ever made.

John Arthur Brett, of Great Mistley, Basildon, Essex:

I am not surprised at the criticism of Swindon. Basically it is quite simply JEALOUSY. I was born in Swindon and lived there for nearly 50 years. I watched its development from a town with a railway factory and a population of 72,000 to the superb place that it is today.

I understand that Wayne Hemingway originates from Blackburn. I would have thought that any town in Britain is superior to Blackburn but designers whose book contents have been described as "kitsch" have to make controversial remarks to get their name in the news.

As far as I am concerned, as a man who has visited most of the major towns in the UK, Swindon is definitely, without any question the number one. City status is long overdue.

Coun Derique Montaut, Labour ward councillor for Moredon:

What makes this town a very special place is that people have chosen to live in the town. There's various cultures and there's harmony. There are various groups of people from different ethnic backgrounds living in harmony and Swindon is starting to find its heart.

It is a wonderful thing for people to take pride in the town. It may not be a very beautiful place in the centre of town architecturally like Bath or Oxford but it's got a wonderful working class history around the railways and has a vibrant economy.

For the future I can't think of a better to be in. I can't think of a place with more beautiful countryside around it.