HALE is my home and the village is beautiful with some lovely independent stores as well as cafe's, restaurant and quality charity shops and national chains.

Despite excellent service in the shops the footfall has declined massively over the last six months and, though I am pleased that the new heart of Altrincham, based on the market, is thriving, Hale is in rapid decline and store owners are nervous. Restaurants are up for sale and on the edge of closing and the ripple effect will be huge.

I realise, as a former Conservative Party county councillor, that Trafford needs to raise money in challenging times, but the increased car parking charges are killing the village and there will be no income from cars when there are no banks, shops or bars to go to.

I shop in Hale and will continue to do so but unless others do the same and Trafford lowers the parking fees and keeps the bus service going, our story book village will be gone forever.

Peter Booth, Hale