WE WERE disappointed to see that Geoffrey Cox's article (Times, December 5), though generally positive, did not mention supporting the large number of independent accommodation providers in West Devon.

B&Bs and small hotels are also small businesses, competing with large corporates who have aggressive pricing strategies and huge advertising budgets.

On the face of it, most of us cannot hope to match the 'special offer' prices of the chain budget hotels, but unlike them, most B&Bs include a substantial good quality breakfast, free wi-fi and free parking, as well as an excellent welcome and knowledge of the local area.

Brand names do not always equal cleanliness and quality, and we believe that overall we offer better value for money and a much more pleasant experience for our guests.

Supporting small retail businesses is very commendable, but the vision could be broadened from the high street — go to your local garage to get your tyres changed, get your eyes tested at an independent opticians, and of course, recommend friends and family to stay at local B&Bs.

Small businesses give us more choices about what we eat, where we stay, what we shop for and how we interact with others. They enrich the experience of shopping, working and staying in our towns and villages, and in short, provide the fabric that knits a community together.

It would be a tragedy, not to say tedious, if in the future, the only place to stay in West Devon is exactly the same as the place you can stay in Nottingham, Ostend or Auckland. So next time you go away , or have people to stay, please think local and support a B&B.

Ian and Carolyn Tiley

Barnabas House B&B

Yelverton