SIR. Having returned from holiday, I have now read Alita Howe's article in the October 31 edition of your paper in which she was told by the council that it had a choice of appointing Hammerson or exploring rival bids for the contract in question. It chose the former option.

I would take issue with this statement for, as an ex-contract officer of some years standing, I cannot recall a situation where the granting of such a major public works contract would have been dealt with by any means other than the usual and accepted competitive tendering process.

Regardless of the Roanne Ruling referred to, the council would have been fully aware of the procedures to be adopted in dealing with contracts of this nature.

A plea of ignorance on its part is totally unacceptable and has resulted in the repayment to Hammerson of £450,000 of ratepayers's money.

Ray Broom Alexandra Drive Surbiton