AT the beginning of December, I tripped on Richmond’s notorious pavements and broke my wrist.

Since then, I have had serious pain, frequent discomfort and permanent frustration. I have been unable to write, to knit, to sew or to drive.

The plaster is now off but the physiotherapy is painful and I may not regain total mobility. I would like to make two comments.

Firstly, my treatment by the NHS was splendid. Within an hour of my fall, I was being treated at the Friarage Hospital and two hospitals, four X-rays and five consultants later, I want to say that, with one notable exception, from consultant to volunteer helper, I was treated with care, compassion and understanding and was never kept waiting.

We are indeed fortunate in this area to have such excellent treatment available.

Secondly, from being an agile, active 80-year-old, I now find myself radar-scanning as I walk. And I am shocked at the condition of Richmond’s pavements. The paving stones are cracked, broken, uneven or pock-marked.

One could be forgiven for believing that someone thinks these pieces of crazy-paving enhance the Georgian ambience of the town...or perhaps they’re cheaper.

There is one stretch of pavement which has over 20 changes of surface in about 200 yards, though I have spotted three short stretches of good, smooth footpaths near the Market Place.

Add to this the sodium gloom of much of the street-lighting and we have a recipe for accidents.

I fell a year or two back near the Co-op roundabout but, fortunately, only damaged a finger, but the paving slabs used in that area are appalling.

I don’t think there is one completely flat slab to be found.

I would hate anyone else to suffer as I am doing so, please may we have clear, flat pavements in our lovely town.

Daphne Clarke, Richmond