REGARDING your article 'Death On Sale' (LET, January 10), in which a coroner accused shops which sell solvents to youths of putting profit before lives, it strikes me that this is a case of 'Let's hit out at the shopkeeper again' -- what an easy target.

My husband and I have been shopkeepers for more than 20 years and we always try our best to provide a good service -- to be helpful, give directions, change, advice etc.

Small shops fight a constant battle against rising costs, and opposition from national chains and supermarkets.

On top of this we are expected to 'police' the market as well. It is easy to cause offence and refusal can just mean the youngster sends an older person in to buy the goods.

It is an absolute tragedy when a young teenager dies, but if the Government is serious about preventing under-age smoking, drinking and solvent purchase then they should implement a national ID scheme.

Let's see the Lancashire Evening Telegraph spearhead a serious campaign for a system that will work.

MARY BRASS, (shopkeeper and mother of two teenagers), Clitheroe.