I HAVE lived in Cirencester since I was born. I am now 25 years old and have no plans to leave just yet. I expected I would be rushing around in the big city of London by now, enjoying Pret coffees-to-go and flitting back and forth on the Tube.

No, I am still here enjoying the calmness of the countryside – walking wherever possible and picking my daily latte from one of the 20 independent coffee shops Cirencester offers.

Why should I leave when I am so happy?

My brother, who HAS taken the big leap to the capital, joked that if I didn’t move out of Cirencester soon he would “punch me in the face”.

His sense of humour is severely lacking, but yet, I still do not feel compelled to leave.

I will stay in this little town for as long as I like.

I love falling asleep to the sound of the owls outside – rather than the sound of a kebab van revving its engine such I suspect city dwellers have to hear.

I like waking up to the dawn chorus, rather than drunken teens clattering along my street. Cirencester is pleasant, peaceful and good to me. And I feel no desire to leave just yet.

DAPHNE JAYNES

Cirencester