THERE isn't a week goes by that I don't receive unsolicited phone calls trying to sell me something - double glazing, fitted kitchens; the list is endless.

These annoying people try all types of gimmicks to engage you in a sales conversation, from "I'm not trying to sell you anything," to cheap, half priced offers.

It seems really funny that they lose all interest when I say I live in a council property. One would think that before they picked up the phone, they would check whether or not the addresses they were about to contact were private ones.

I am sure that a list of council properties is quite easy to acquire.

Recently I received four such calls within half an hour of each other and I honestly think it is time for a stop to be put to this practice.

JOHN FARRER, Mallard Place, Oswaldtwistle.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.