Sir - There has been much comment in the Worcester News regarding the possibility of a sub regional grouping based on the Birmingham conurbation.

As a former County Councillor I would like to make my contribution. I feel that such a proposal would be a retrograde step as all that would bring about would be the county scrabbling for the leftovers from the table of Sir Albert Bore (Birmingham leader) instead of from Whitehall as at present.

Might I suggest that we would be much better off grouped with Hereford and Shropshire as we have far more commonality with these two counties than the west midland conurbation. After all we already have the West Mercia Constabulary.

To conclude a combination of what Worcestershire has to offer in the field of economic development along with Herefordshire where we share strategic working with for instance waste disposal and the vibrant economic new tech. powerhouse that is springing up around Telford has much to commend it.

Clive Smith

Malvern