I WATCH Top Gear my self and saw Sunday's episode (February 16) and Clarkson's jibe at Herefordshire by way of intimating that a missile was destined for Ross on Wye.

I'll make this statement and hope that Richard and James take heart. I only watch the program for the content that James and Richard put in. Clarkson has to use cheap jibes and snipe's to get a laugh because he has no technically minded and intelligent things to say about cars, engineering or the united kingdom formally Great Britain.

The leafy lanes of Herefordshire offer splendour and admiration of history and engineering skill's to overcome problems.

For example when I was an apprentice at Henry Wiggin (Wiggin Special Metals), we made pedal carts for the local special needs schools and through our skills taught by Doug Youster, Ron Jenkins, Bill Lane and Phill Round (CEO of Herefordshire Group Training), we solved all manor of problems for people less fortunate than us. I can honestly say I had a brilliant apprenticeship in Herefordshire and the skills I learnt have stood me in good sted over the last 37 years. Even now having been rendered disabled my self or less able as I term it, I use my skills to design equipment, train others to do the bits I can't, and find methods to do what the average person takes for granted. I might have been slowed down by a hit and run, but I will do what the average person can but will need a bit more time and a few special tools.

Yorkshire has a fantastic motorway network as you need to get in quick and out even faster. I have relatives in Yorkshire and all they can remember is the M62, M1, M18, M180, and A1M they rarely use the A19 as it's too slow.

In Herefordshire we can real off dozens of interesting land marks and historical sites.

Perhaps Richard Hammond should remind Jeremy that Herefordshire is the home of the best of the best military regiment (SAS).

STEVE LLOYD

Paradise Court

Leominster

Herefordshire