IN response to the letter criticising the outdoor market in Kidderminster and, in particular, my bookstall (December 9), I was somewhat taken aback by the vitriol reserved for my stock of books.

I would agree with the generality that the market could be improved.

This could be achieved with the provision of attractive and uniform stalls as happens in other centres, such as Wolverhampton, but the track record of support from successive councils for the past 30 years or more does not inspire much confidence that this will materialise.

My books seemingly are tatty and suitable for the recycling skip.

Many of the westerns, which I sell on an exchange basis, may well be "seventh-hand" but they give considerable pleasure for a modest cost.

The anonymous correspondent should realise that not everybody has the purchasing power to patronise the markets she/he extols (French and craft markets) and in the case of avid readers they are unable to purchase a constant stream of new books.

If I didn't supply a service which people valued then I wouldn't still be there, but thanks for the publicity.

D SMITH

Bewdley

(Full address supplied)