HAVING travelled around many towns and villages in Europe and sampled much of the local fare sat outside the various caf, bistros and restaurant, imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered that the forward thinking people of Upton-upon-Severn have several premises with tables and chairs outside.

Even the small sandwich shop and takeaway, Banjos, has one, where I enjoyed my breakfast out in the open air recently.

Surely, this is the way forward and a more civilised way to enjoy food and drink, especially with weather forecasters predicting more good summers like the current one. It seems to impart a calming effect on the people participating and this is born out by the fact that towns in Europe do not seem to suffer the same with the hooligan element as we do.

I am convinced this will attract more and more visitors to your town, not only from within the UK but from Europe. After all it was pressure from people who travel abroad and visitors from abroad which has led to our relaxed licensing laws, 24 hour shopping, all day food establishments etc.

I notice that in my local town Marple, tables and chairs have started to appear outside a number of cafes. Maybe somebody has recently passed through Upton and liked what they saw.

MR C STANDISH-JOHNSON, Marple, Cheshire.