THIS morning while in my car, and doing the 'daily school run', I happened to be listening to Swindon Advertiser's Editor Dave King on the Wiltshire radio channel, who was speaking about nominating businesses for the 'Wiltshire Business of the year awards 2010', which has had the deadline date extended to noon on Thursday, February 24 owing to the severe winter weather experienced in the run up to the Christmas period.

It was then that I turned to my wife, and suggested that our local Westcott Place Store, which is run by John Harris should certainly deserve a mention, and on reflection we considered that we would like to suggest this fine establishment for a nomination, as the store has provided an excellent service to the local community in the Westcott Place area of Swindon. I particular I would like to mention the friendly attitude of the staff that work there, as nothing is too much trouble for them, and they will go to extraordinary lengths to help shoppers with whatever item that they wish to buy, or service that they require. There is always very friendly banter going on between both customers and staff, and it is really an extremely pleasurable experience to shop there.

The owner Mr John Harris warrants a special mention having taken over the business when it was a small Post Office some 20 years ago after the unexpected sudden death of the previous owner, and he singly built up an outstanding business through sheer hard work. During the severe snow just prior to Christmas at 7.45 in the morning we passed John Harris in our car at the top of Kinghill Road, and looked on in astonishment as he had parked his delivery van halfway on the pavement at the top of the hill and was delivering sacks of potatoes. Also John Harris can very often be seen delivering the Swindon Advertiser or daily newspapers early in the morning, while also managing to serve in the shop at other times.

The store has also done so very much for the local community of the Westcott Place area, with a prime example being when the Swindon Advertiser carried an article about the mugging of a war veteran Mr Harry Hart on 'Remembrance Day' at the pelican crossing in Westcott Place. Mr Hart had been cruelly mugged not far from his sheltered accommodation at Peter Furkins Court, in Westcott Place, and had his wallet stolen.

Immediately John Harris sprung in to action and organised a collection box on the counter of his store, and was featured in a follow up article in the Swindon Advertiser with a photograph of him handing over the proceeds of his good work to Harry Hart.

This is the nature of the man, and we really think that he should be recognised before it is too late, as he has mentioned that next year he may think of retiring, which would be extremely sad, as one would has to be extremely lucky to find the like of him again.

MR G A WOODWARD Nelson Street Swindon