I AM sure those of us who work for Community Action, whether staff or volunteers, object to being included in any remarks referring to a "white elephant" (Malvern Gazette, January 23).

From the top floor of the Town Council building, we run a car service to take elderly people to doctors and hospital, Shoparound for those who would otherwise be housebound and a Volunteer Bureau to recruit helpers for numerous organisations in Malvern. We also hire out our minibus to charitable and community groups who use our Resource Centre to publicise and carry out their own good work.

It should be remembered that the building in which we are tenants was purchased with two loans, which were conditional upon this building being used for 'community purposes'.

Councillors at the time envisaged that Malvern Town Council would look after the civic needs of Malvern, while Community Action looks after the charity, community and voluntary sectors. Ideally, both should work in partnership for the good of Malvern residents.

There is no need for the building to be under-used.

Certainly, on the top floor, we are rushed off our feet and our office space sometimes bulges at the seams. We plan to expand our services during 2004/5.

Our service users will testify that we are certainly no 'millstone' round anybody's neck. They rely on us to be accessible and to respond instantly to their needs.

How can the 'market interest' of our elderly, vulnerable or isolated Malvern residents be tested by any 'for sale' or 'to let' signs? Give us a break!

Community Action exists to help Malvern people deal with the problems of everyday living, especially when medical services are moving further out of town and some of our 70-year-olds discover they need to catch three buses to get to an appointment at Worcester hospital!

BARBARA WATTON, chairman, Community Action Malvern & District, Belle Vue Terrace, Malvern.