IN his column of February 11, Tom Morton expressed the irritation he feels when outsiders insult Swindon.

However, I would suggest that there are also insiders who devalue and humiliate the town and not least among them is Swindon's council.

Thirty years ago they shamefully sacrificed the dignity of the town and Swindon was subordinated to the fiction of Thamesdown.

Swindon was restored in 1997, but now the councillors are hell bent on humiliating the town for a second time. They have, with due servility, allowed the University of Bath to invade Swindon with unbelievable arrogance. Their demands and the derogatory logo clearly indicate that they feel vastly superior to Swindon.

When will the councillors wake up to the reality of it all and realise that there is nothing in Bath's plans that will add to Swindon's standing.

Why don't they plan to create their own university as other towns have done? They have a duty to uphold the honour, dignity and integrity of Swindon. By aiding and abetting Bath they are surely condemning the town to ridicule, just as they did 30 years ago.

ERIC BEINT

Lydgate, Burnley