UNDERWEAR. We all wear it. For some it consists of purely functionary garments, while others prefer a slightly more elaborate approach. But it's always there, lurking just beneath the surface. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

Unless, it would seem, you are associated with Worcester City Council.

Firstly, we had city Mayor, Coun Gareth Jones, fuming at the imminent arrival of underwear chain Ann Summers in the High Street.

His reaction to the store does not appear to have been shared by Evening News readers.

The ratio of letters we have received supporting the shop's opening to those against it, is currently running at about 10:1.

Now, we have the case of La Femme lingerie shop owner Chris Allen's attempts to book a stall at the city's Victorian Fayre.

Her plan of selling Victorian-style corsets has been dashed after she was told her stock was "inappropriate".

Council officers maintain that, it is not because her range of designer basques and boas is too "raunchy", but that it is not sufficiently "unique".

However, it would appear that 10 other stalls at the fayre will be selling items of clothing - while yet more stalls will be hawking mobile phones.

Hardly "unique".

Given the predilection for elaborate underwear displayed by the Victorian middle classes, a stall selling similar items would, it would seem to us, be entirely appropriate for the city's annual extravaganza.

That is, as opposed to devices which were only invented 25 years ago.