I FEEL I must write in praise of the much maligned NHS in the South Lakes area in particular.

I spent all my early years during the Second World War in the Manchester area. Along with all other residents in the area we suffered month after month of air raids and bombing and had to spend endless nights in air raid shelters, built mainly directly onto earthen floors with no heating or lighting in very cold and damp conditions.

This, adding to the perpetual smell of cordite from the shells and bombs combined with 'pea soup' fogs, wreaked havoc with my lungs - as did in later years serving in the fire service and literally 'eating smoke' and dealing with buildings with asbestos materials.

Breathing apparatus was frowned on by senior officers and as a result I now suffer every year from bronchitis, which as I approach my 81st birthday is getting worse.

I have to attend my local Ambleside health centre much more often than I care to - but I find the service I receive from there, Boots the Chemist and, on occasions, I have needed hospital attention (mainly through running injuries) at Barrow, Lancaster and Kendal, first class, with very little, if any, waiting time.

I have been treated with friendliness, courtesy and excellent treatment.

All of the above leads me to decide I must vote for Tim Farron as my MP. While I disagree with many of his party's policies - especially on Brexit - I feel I must vote for him as a person and his wonderful and efficient 'back up' staff. The NHS will be in safe hands with him at the wheel.

Rod Berry

Ambleside