AS A Plymothian, I would like to offer apologies to the people of Dudley for Gary Streeter's remarks on their town (Friday).

Mr Streeter told the Commons that Plymouth's Civic Centre was 'the ugliest thing outside Dudley'. Having lived for a while in this area of the West Midlands, I can say it was a perfectly normal town centre, the people are brilliant and prepared to defend their borough.

Back to our city centre, where I believe we should keep our comments. When you are next in town, have a look around. Look past the eyeline, the tat, the signage, look around and look up. It may not be fashionable, it may not be to your taste, but it is quite well made, it matches and is appreciated. It also gives you plenty of space and light.

This has been exploited by the introduction of exhibitions, markets and events into these areas. This makes the city centre an interesting place to visit and this could be an excellent selling point in the bright new world of town centres versus the internet.

All of this is overlooked by the Civic Centre, which in turn matches and can been seen as an icon of Plymouth.

Also have a look at more recent additions to our city and city centre. Ask yourself what does this say about Plymouth? I have looked at a lot of places and apart from a few exceptions, to me it says 'same buildings, could be anywhere'.

The committee that has allowed these buildings to be put in place are going to be in charge of passing judgment on any replacement for the Civic Centre. What is their plan? Let us not get into why the Civic Centre has been neglected; it is in disrepair and in the state we find it now.

I feel it is very easy to be seen as dynamic by demanding destruction and replacement. It is more difficult to offer a positive vision of the future that brings people together.

What we in Plymouth have to our advantage in the city centre is an organised, inclusive and unique area. An area that is recognisable as Plymouth to anyone who has ever been interested, visited and looked. It may not be the 'best centre' in the world, but in my opinion there are not a lot of places with something as dramatic and well thought out.

It is as unique as Plymouth itself.

IAN CHAPPLE

Mannamead