As neighbours of Hatts Travel in West End, Foxham, we are saddened that an 86-year-old family-owned business has gone into receivership.

Clearly there will be hardship amongst the 89 staff who have lost their jobs and anger from the thousand customers who have lost their holidays and, most likely, their deposits.

However, it should be on record that Hatts has provided a reliable and efficient service to many local schools and communities over the years.

It has also been a good neighbour with noise on its busy site kept to a minimum and its drivers the models of courtesy on the narrow road that leads up to its Foxham depot. The company has always been a generous supporter of local fetes and similar community events.

We wish Adrian Hillier, who will be as devastated as anyone, well in the future.

We sincerely hope that a solution can be found that will enable Hatts to remain a vital part of the village and local community. If not, then the site would be ideal for the construction of low-cost housing for our many young people and families who are in desperate need of reasonably priced accommodation.

Des and Shirley Palmer, West End.