I have just spent two days in Monmouth with my wife, and must say how pleasant it was and in particular how helpful and really friendly everyone we met were during out brief stay.

Amongst other features we were pleasantly impressed with the wide selection of shops in Monnow Street including many attractive independents - always good to see.

By the time we had got to the top and to the most impressive Shire Hall and castle it was already dark. Looking down that long hill towards Waitrose we both thought that there was something just not quite right. What ought to have been a blaze of lighting as we hurtle towards Christmas shopping time it all looked somewhat dull and uninviting.

Walking back to our hotel down Monnow Street the reason soon became obvious- many of the street lights were simply out of action along with other traffic signs as well casting great swathes of unappealing darkness on the somewhat uneven pavements.

Seems a pity especially when all High St retailers are working flat out to attract customers during the next three important weeks.

Stuart L Letten (Cavendish, Suffolk)