I read the report in the Chronicle about Hounslow Council's plans for the regeneration of Hounslow town centre, including asking shoppers what ideas they would like to see in operation to improve the High Street.

I have visited 35 shopping centres this year and, in my opinion, Hounslow is head and shoulders above all of them for being consumer-aware and meeting shoppers' needs.

This is because in the town centre there are dozens of benches and seats. There is plenty of room for hundreds of shoppers to sit down with a packed lunch, take-out, or just have a rest.

For many older people and those with physical disabilities, a shopping trip can take a lot longer to complete than for most able-bodied people.

This means that older and disabled shoppers have to sit down at regular intervals to regain their strength, as walking around is very tiring for them.

There is nowhere like Hounslow town centre which can offer these excellent facilities, as all of the town centres I have visited have a few seats here and there.

Last week I went shopping in Kingston. After a while, I became very tired,but the few benches scattered around were fully occupied.

This meant I had to go into a sandwich bar and purchase a small turkey and lettuce roll for which I was charged a whopping £2.90, but at least I was able to sit down and recover from my walkabout.

Now if I'd been in Hounslow, I could have walked the length of the High Street and sat down half a dozen times, free of charge, if I so wished.

Not everyone can afford to purchase something to eat or drink merely to have a rest.

So this is my message to Hounslow Council - please keep the seats and benches in the High Street as they are a real asset and are well used.

No other town centre thinks about people needing to rest while having a pleasant shopping experience - it's not all about having pound signs in your eyes.

Keep up the good work Hounslow Council.

KITTY MASWELL Brookwood Road, Hounslow.