THE multi-million pound government campaign on pension credits urges 'Pick it up, it's yours'.

With this in mind I decided to try my luck and see if I could boost my income.

I rang the free phone number with high hopes, it did not take long however for me to realise that I had more chance of running the four-minute mile.

The reason for this was simple, I was not on disability benefits.

I, like many other people of my age group worked until retirement and have sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle, but because I have been thrifty, because I have my own home, because I have a little saved, I constantly find that I am not entitled to the same benefits as a person who hasn't worked, who hasn't saved nor been thrifty.

Society has always had to put up with the workshy, the glass back, and sick note brigade but why oh why give them more financial help than those who worked hard all their lives?

Had I been one of the work shy I could have help with mortgage or rent payments, help with council tax, I could have a budget or crisis loan, I could have free dental treatment, I could have help with the cost of glasses and contact lenses, I could even get a free wig or a fabric support.

It is high time this government woke up and practices what it preaches, reward the worker not the shirker!

J ALLAN, Rothesay Road, Blackburn.