FIVE years ago South West Water took over responsibility for operation of the Tavistock Canal and the Morwellham power station. I immediately sought assurance that the function of these historic features would be preserved (Letters October 24, '96). The response from South West Water (Letters January 2, '97) made no mention of the power station but it did state that arrangements had been made that:

'. . . enabled increased flows to be maintained from the river to the canal. Subsequently these increased flows were returned to the Tavy downstream of Tavistock for the benefit of water supplies.

I hope that our actions so far will help to reassure local people that we will continue to manage flows in the canal very carefully for everyone's benefit. R J Baty, Managing director, South West Water.'

Following the Times' front page report (October 4) I looked at the canal and would confirm that it was a spectacle of rubbish and stagnation.

With the town still busy with tourists I am embarrassed and even ashamed to be a local person. And what about the future of the power station?

I C Head

St Andrew's Road

Whitchurch