I AM 77 years old. my sister is 80 and my husband 84. Every Tuesday morning, we travel into Redditch, a ritual we look forward to as to us, it is akin to a day out.

This for my sister especially, who lives alone and walks with a stick. Owing to degeneration of the spine, she cannot walk or stand for any length of time.

We always leave her on a seat in the town centre and while my husband and I go shopping, she watches the world go by and enjoys conversation with other old people, equally relieved to sit down for a ''breather''.

We have noted how the seating is slowly diminishing. We are not the only ones alarmed at the situation.

We know the reason given is that pigeons which inhabit the area are creating a mess because some people insist on feeding them. I understand that point of view but surely pigeons should not be given preference over people?

I would have thought the problem could be dealt with in a humane way before it gets out of hand.

We were aghast to find on Tuesday, August 2, the whole central area had been boarded off and the seating removed. Admittedly, my husband spotted two seats positioned outside unoccupied premises but these seats were already taken. We had no option but to return home.

Hopefully, within weeks we can resume our pleasurable visits to Redditch to find seating arrangements much improved.

Mrs W Davis

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