SIR – After moving away from Bradford to York 28 years ago, we decided recently to pay a visit to dear old Bradford (our place of birth).

But, what did we find? A massive great hole where BHS and Broadway used to be. I remember it all being built the first time in the 1960s and it was fine. Then we discovered a massive puddle outside the town hall. Why?

And Godwin Street, Ivegate and John Street are practically derelict. It took us a good half hour to find the Kirkgate shopping centre, and we kept passing the old Gaumont, which was heartbreaking.

Probably Bradfordians have not noticed this decline as they have most likely become used to the slow degeneration.

All I can think of is the saying of the Bolling Hall ghost “Pity Poor Bradford”

Carol Mitchell (nee Palmer), West Nooks, Haxby, York