One could be sympathetic towards the outcry of the residents of Henfield over plans to open a new abattoir in the area (The Argus, December 27) if the opposition was based on the cruel suffering and death of thousands of animals at such a hell hole.

However, once again it would appear the sensitivity of these residents only extends to their own problems in having to face up to the smell and noise of the slaughter in their rural hideaway. Do they imagine their portions of meat arrive silently as if by magic or is it they, like 99 per cent of meat eaters, just do not want the reality of what meat really is on their own doorstep?

-Norman Rayner, Crabtree Lane, Lancing