I HAVE had enough of walking into newsagents and local shops to be confronted by magazines with cover photographs of half naked women, often in compromising positions.

You may, as a man or a woman, feel the same way. It may be that you are concerned that your children can see these images, and may form biased impressions of women, or you may feel offended.

You may register disbelief that, as the millennium approaches, women continue to be exploited - albeit in a subtle manner at times.

But you do have choices, other than taking your business elsewhere, or just putting up with it.

Start by mentioning your concerns to the shop manager. If the response is unhelpful, the contact the head office of the shop concerned.

Failing that, then speak to your local Consumer Rights department. I recently contacted the head office of my local shop, which informed me there are often guidelines in place for the displaying of these magazines, and it is only when a complaint is registered that something is done.

They were grateful for the call, so don't suffer in silence. Speak up!

Name and address

supplied

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