DID you hear about the German tourist who was given £180 compensation because he had not had use of a sunbed for the whole of his two weeks vacation?

Since the hotel in question had 1,000 guests and just 80 sunbeds, his chances were slim.

We all have experienced this sort of sunbed ratio on holidays abroad, but never complained. We just put up with it.

Over the years, I have found the Germans to be masters at the ritual of cornering a sunbed before breakfast by placing a towel on it the whole day regardless of use.

It comes as a surprise to find one eventually snapping, as people from other countries join the bandwagon - and get there first.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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