IN response to Emma Taynton-Young's letter published on May 15, I'd like to express my support and gratitude to Cllr Robert Oxborough for taking the brave step of standing up and defending Tavistock town centre, its shops and business community. Supermarkets are indeed part of 21st century life. They are not an endangered species, and we truly need not fear that they will decline through lack of support. They are strong and successful. We are told that the more supermarkets we have, the more 'choice' we are given. For me, one supermarket's head of broccoli appears and tastes much like another supermarket's head of broccoli. Not much choice there. We do, however, have a splendid choice of supermarkets in and near Tavistock. Town centres are precious, endangered areas. We can support independent shops, markets and other businesses, not only by using them but also by choosing to consider the impact that out of town corporations have had on town centres nationwide. We can happily shop in supermarkets and in independent shops, but which of these is honestly in need of more public support? Cllr Oxborough stood up, as an individual, and put the town's interests before his own, a choice I admire. Natasha Church Book Stop Tavistock I?WAS?disappointed to read Mrs Emma Taynton-Young's letter in the Times on Thursday, May 15. Mrs Taynton-Young is entitled to her opinion as a member of the public but, it is clear from reading her comments, that she does not know the factual or legal background to this matter. Cllr Robert Oxborough West Devon Borough Council