SIR — As a surviving member of the last Watchet Urban District Council, I was astounded to read that today's town council had dropped prayers before their meetings.

I cannot for the life of me see the difference between saying a prayer before meetings and requesting a church minister to give an annual blessing.

My generation went through a terrible war and when we were left on our own to face Nazi tyranny, the whole nation turned to prayer, and I firmly believe our prayers were answered, although at a price.

People like our past chairman Wally West would surely turn in their grave if they could see what the present town council decided.

This is a Christian country and we should not worry what other denominations think. No one stops them from practising their faith, so why should we?

I would say that people should not stand for council if they cannot offer a prayer before meetings. It is there to give you guidance.

When we served, we had a thriving port bringing thousands of pounds of trade into the town, we also did all the things that district councils do today, the only difference being that we all lived in the town and knew exactly what the local people wanted.

I would say to all the councillors on the town council, it would not hurt any one of you to offer a prayer before your meetings.

Jim Stephens,