Cllr Mike Hocking, of Burnley Close, Bradley Valley, Newton Abbot, writes:

Through your paper's letter page, I would like to make two points, which I feel should be made clear your readers.

Point one is in the way of a small moan.

you reported the switch on of the Christmas lights in Newton Abbot but although you reported the input of the Young Heroes and quite rightly reported in full their stories, I was disappointed with the report on the switch-on event itself, the lack of pictures and a report of how successful it was.

This seemed to me to be a missed opportunity. Not only would it have allowed you to blow your own trumpet as to your involvement in the day, but it would have drawn to the attention of your readers the huge amount of work and in many cases financial assistance that was put into this event by our town centre manager, the town council and local business alike.

I feel strongly that we should show support for our town, and its stance in the local community. The readiness of the town to welcome people into it is demonstrated by the warm welcoming effect of the Christmas lights and this message needed to be put across not just for this Christmas period but for the coming years as well.

The second point is more of a rebuff of your Comment column where you criticised the town council for, in your words, 'Not Boxing Clever'. yes, we have been offered K6 BT phone boxes for £1 but this does not take into account the hidden costs.

l The cost of renewing planning permission, which will be needed to retain the box in the place it is now sited.

l All on going maintainence costs.

l There will be no phone service and no way of getting one once the service is cut. BT would not allow any other supplier to use the box for a phone service other than itself, and they would not be interested in reinstating that service once it had been cut.

l The council would be responsible for all power supply costs or the removal of that supply if not required.

l If the phone service was to be kept then a yearly subsidy of £300 would have to be paid to BT in order to keep that service.

I do not believe we as a town council made the wrong decision. these boxes are not in a prominent position and lend very little to the street scene in these cases.

You commented that one was sold on eBay for £1,600 but this does not take into account the cost of removal and storage until sold. even if this was an option, why take over a phone box just to have it removed so that it could be sold again?

I am sure if this was the case you would be the first to criticise us for misusing public funds by speculating. MORE LETTERS - GO TO OUR ONLINE EDITION