SIR — I have just returned to St Albans from a late Mediterranean break. I will not reveal where exactly this break was taken (for fear of a British deluge) suffice it to say that it was easterly, on the borders with Asia and a non commercial coastal res

SIR - I have just returned to St Albans from a late Mediterranean break. I will not reveal where exactly this break was taken (for fear of a British deluge) suffice it to say that it was easterly, on the borders with Asia and a non commercial coastal resort.

The main reason why I am writing to you is to explain to our readers the differences I found between the two peoples.

In the resort town, locals were friendly, warm, welcoming and despite their obvious poverty, generous to the core.

When a motorist passed you on the road while driving, although their driving skills were nervous to say the least, there wasn't a hint of aggression.

Compare that to our homecoming: rude and obnoxious staff at the UK airport car park transfer, rude and aggressive drivers manoeuvring so dangerously in St Peters Street on Sunday morning that in one case, one particular driver's demeanour bordered on road rage - and equally rude and aggressive people crowding a busy Harpenden farmers' market bumping into us without so much as an apology. In short, our local people's attitudes stank!

The only thing keeping me and my family tied to the UK currently is the fact that the property market is not as buoyant as it once was otherwise we would be out of here in faster than you can say Jerusalem!

Sadly, the England I grew up in has lost its identity and its good-natured people as well as its calm in favour of rude and aggressive people too wrapped up in their own lives to show decency and common courtesy towards their fellow men.

As soon as the time is right, I'll have no hesitation in joining the other 500,000 or so sensible British people who have made better, happier, calmer and friendlier lives abroad.

The grass may not be completely greener on the other side but it is certainly a lot more welcoming than a city and a country that has lost its way as well as its manners!

BARRY CASHIN

Green Lane, St Albans