MADAM, May I express the sadness and frustration which I know is shared by many, about the closure of Stratford House Residential Home in Hereford?

It has to close because new regulations would be too expensive: I strongly support regulations on safety and hygiene, but some have nothing to do with safety and seem to take no consideration of the care needs of real people.

Stratford House not only has high standards of fire safety and food hygiene - it also is a welcoming and caring place, where residents feel at home, safe and well looked after.

Regulations cannot create a caring atmosphere; this takes years to build up, and when it closes, something will be lost which cannot be replaced in a hurry.

RUTH STANIER,

Harvey Road,

Hampton Dene,

Hereford.