Having shopped at Waitrose in Wallingford for 16 years, like many others in the area, I didn't know what to expect from the much-heralded arrival of the new store with its promise of a better shopping experience, more choice etc.

Imagine my surprise and disappointment when, on my first weekly expedition, two products which I have bought regularly are no longer stocked -- so much for more choice.

When I checked my bill, I found that the washing-up liquid, which had cost 79p in the old store, had increased to 84p -- an increase of 6.3 per cent.

So are we now expected to pay for the pleasure of this overbearing monolithic building in what was a picturesque town?

I shall probably now check out Tesco to see how much it charges for my washing-up liquid, and whether I can do all my weekly shopping in one place.

DOROTHY NEWELL

Wallingford Road, Cholsey