IN the last four articles by Anne Snelgrove it seems her interests only lie in small businesses, children, their education, banks etc.

I would like to tell her of the plight of pensioners having worked hard all their lives preparing for not a vast fortune, just enough to have a comfortable retirement.

I give an example - a man pays into a private pension scheme for 42 years, paying an extra premium on his marriage for his wife to receive two thirds of his final pension instead of the usual half. Had she pre-deceased him this would have been in vain.

Recently the 10 per cent tax was raised to 20 per cent and more recently the decision to increase the basic pension only would be made with the hefty fuel bills expected, increases in rent etc.

Some such pensioners will be far more in need than those who receive benefits. Spare a thought for them Anne, and get your government to at least give them the benefit of the extreme cold weather payment that even those living on the earnings of others will be getting.

(Mrs) D TENTY Chilton Gardens Swindon