PLEASE keep your letters to 250 words maximum giving your name, address and daytime telephone number - even on emails. Email: letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Write: Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Phone: 01793 501806.

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

A health time bomb

PREVENTION is better than a cure and this is especially true when it comes to public health spending in the UK.

A recent series of papers published by the British Medical Association highlights how cuts to public health budgets – expected to total £400m by 2020 – have undermined a prevention-based approach and are a false economy, ultimately costing the NHS more money in the long run.

The Government’s watered down strategy on childhood obesity and failure to place tighter restrictions on smoking and alcohol consumption means we are facing a ticking time bomb as more must be done to protect public health services in Wiltshire before they reach breaking point.

Politicians must commit to working with healthcare professionals to deliver an effective public health strategy as, with the correct public health approach, there is a greater chance of preventing illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes which continue to increase year on year.

As well as the financial implications of failing to grasp the seriousness of the situation, the health and wellbeing of the nation has and will continue to suffer if the Government does not intervene and commit to funding a long-term sustainable public health strategy.

DR HELENA MCKEOWN, Chairman, British Medical Association South West Regional Council

Charging is shameful

WELL done Swindon Borough Council for charging people £4 a car for the charity fund raising at the weekend. Three days of raking in money that could have gone towards the said charities at the events.

Even charging £2 a car would have been a charitable effort on the side of the Swindon Borough Council.

I hope councillors hang their heads in shame at the amount charged. Perhaps they would like to give the profit from their charges to a worthwhile charity. Well done to all those who took part.

R PARSONE, Royal Wootton Bassett

Why buses only?

I COMPLETELY agree with Joan Lawrence (Wed 24 May) who asks why only buses can access the Outlet Car Park from the wide entrance road by Bottelinos.

Perhaps someone from the council would like to explain why?

MIRIAN SIRRELLE, Priory Green, Highworth

Did you find scarf?

I SHOULD be most grateful, if anyone who has found my green patterned chiffon scarf, lost Friday afternoon, May 12, in Marlborough town, would let me know, at the address below, so that I could retrieve it and thank them.

Not valuable, except to me; but an old friend - and I hate losing old friends - too many are beginning to depart. Thank you so much.

BARBARA CLAUSON, Applegarth, Ogbourne St George