I

SALUTE the Wigan and Leigh Pensioners' Link magazine for tipping off people 'how to beat the system' .

They have published 14 handy hints, from a book with that title written by Annie Ashworth and Meg Sayers, which can help make life easier and cheaper -- and very satisfying.

My favourite regards the telephone. When ringing a business ignore all the push button options and the phone will be answered a lot sooner. It works, I've done that for ages.

Other good points involve disputing a parking fine and complaining.

Anyone planning to fight a parking fine should say they are going to an independent adjudicator. About 25 per cent of drivers who do this have the fine dropped as councils have to pay a fee for every case that goes to adjudication.

Complaints should be directed to the senior executive of a company. These will reach the right person eventually and they will prioritise it if it has been referred by their boss. That works too.

Just a few tips from a fascinating and helpful leaflet for the older members of society.