IT is only natural that if one is attacked you defend yourself. Defending is what Worcester's tourism officials, and the Worcester News for that matter, are doing about the comments written in the Lonely Planet Guide to Great Britain.

I am Worcester born and bred, and I am not ashamed to admit it, but have seen over the last five or so decades our beautiful Faithful city wrecked and sacked by various architects and planners. York, Chester, Bath and Shrewsbury have kept and preserved their history and heritage, and have managed to move into the 21st century as well.

Of course, when mentioning these cities it's like comparing Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal with Doncaster Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers (sorry Harriers) and I'm afraid that is where Worcester is.

Yes, you can find the bits in Worcester like the Hopmarket and Reindeer Court, but these are mere oases in a soulless, faceless city centre. Of course, our beautiful Cathedral stands alone as one of the best in the land, but it's the bits that have been destroyed and buried that worry me. Many other proud Worcester citizens think the same.

The River Severn as a tourist attraction in Worcester? A joke! The riverside is tatty and really does nothing to attract visitors to walk along it. Who wants to step over empty alcohol cans and bottles, and sometimes people lying on the benches and pathways.

Although annoyed at the time, I am now somewhat pleased that the name Lychgate was dropped, so I am not reminded what lies beneath. Having said that, huge concrete block above that can be seen for miles around, that was once the Giffard Hotel, stands as a memorial to Worcester's failure to plan with taste.

And it is that which earns it the comments it deserves in this guidebook.

Sorry city planners, you got it wrong, you have all been found out. And it has been published in a book for all to see and read what you have done to our historic city.

R J DOVEY,

Malvern Link.