MAY I, through your columns, express my thanks to Dr Paton of Inkberrow (Letters, April 21) for setting the record straight regarding our MP and the proposed new health centre for the village.

Following the very misleading leaflet distributed by Jacqui Smith around Inkberrow and Cookhill, I wish to put on record my contribution to the case.

When I was elected to the district council, I took up the matter with Wychavon and so, over a period of more than six years and with prolonged and often difficult negotiations, at last the whole issue appears to be coming to a satisfactory conclusion.

That is not the only issue that Ms Smith has been getting her nose into. She stated in her leaflet she had consulted residents about plans for housing in the centre of the village, also supporting calls for car parking for the primary school.

Where is her evidence of consultation for housing?

And I know that if she consulted the headmistress on a school car park, she would have been told the same as I was when I actively lobbied for one some six years ago - "It is not necessary, the children should walk to school".

At no time during those difficult years has Ms Smith had any input whatsoever but now that a solution has almost been achieved on the health centre, she is trying to jump on the bandwagon.

Let me tell her that with someone my size already on board, there is no room for her!

AUDREY STEEL

Broadclose Farm

Inkberrow