I FIND it strange that we have celebrated a new cruise ship arriving in Southampton so many times, but not asked why they are not being built here.

British shipyards, such as Swan Hunters, Cammell Laird, and Harland and Wolff, have not built any modern cruise ships for any market, let alone the UK's.

In fact, our shipyards have been left to rot since 1984, denied the help which every yard in Europe has received.

There seems to be no public awareness of this.

I find it very depressing, hearing that a new cruise ship is coming to Southampton, while the future for our once great shipyards could become waterfront developments, for expensive retail, insurance, and other candy floss jobs.

Wouldn't it be great to see the world's biggest cruise ship come up Southampton Water, built by Cammell Laird or Swan Hunter?

DARREN RICHE-WEBBER, Bitterne Village, Southampton.