IF there is a way of making Swindon an even bigger laughing stock, Swindon Council will find it.

For years the public have suffered the scandalous waste of money on modern art and statues, all a waste of time and materials.

First there was the tented look that resembles Arab tents in the desert blown away. Then there's the clock mounted on wires and now that hideous sculpture of clapping hands at the Arts Centre, let alone the broken and uneven paving stones which would have been a disgrace to any village in medieval times.

Are Swindon councillors hoping to give visitors a good laugh?

It is a town with practically no shops. All the small shops have vanished, there are only two that sell fabric and nowhere one can buy material for raincoats.

The big stores cater for short people with short arms. I searched the town in the autumn of 2001 and again in the spring and autumn of 2002 and was still unable to find a raincoat with long enough sleeves.

We need earplugs to walk past some shops, some employees claim their music keeps them sane, but it drives customers insane.

(Miss) B M PACKER

Croft Road,

Swindon