Sir,

It was with amusement and some sympathy I read the article about Tenby taxi drivers having their trade affected by 'outsiders'. It is nice to see a local councillor offering to look into it. I am sure that an element of your readers who are, as myself, self-employed in the construction industry locally, will appreciate what I am writing about.

Firstly, for years we, the building trade, have had to endure firms from not just outside the local area, but from as far away as Cardiff and Newport coming down to do our work. I can appreciate it if local companies do not offer specialised services, fair enough, but at present there are two major construction jobs ongoing in Tenby itself with very little or no local trades being used. If I am wrong, I look forward to being corrected?

Maybe the fault lies with the local authority who grant planning on jobs without the stipulation for local labour to be involved. What's the old adege? 'Local jobs for local people'. But when out and about in Pembrokeshire, take a look at the vans with Swansea, Cardiff and beyond phone numbers on them.

Pembrokeshire isn't open through the summer only; we need work 12 months of the year. Perhaps the local councillors could look into this matter as well. After all, local money earned is local money spent.

Dave Mitchell