I WAS deeply grieved and disgusted by the misconceived comments about pensioners, as it can easily create a youth versus elderly attitude which we can well do without. One day you will be a pensioner and see for yourself how pensioners are treated.

Arriving at a bus queue one gets comments such as: "Don't let them get in, because they have a bus pass they think they own the town."

On entering the bus I have found toddlers occupying the front seat which are clearly labelled 'please leave these seats for the elderly or infirm.' The parents sitting on the seat opposite them instruct them to stay put or else.

On other occasions I have been prevented from taking a seat by swearing shouting youths each with a tin under their seat or a pie in their hand.

I have had my head bashed while checking products in the supermarkets on numerous occasions by persons reaching over the top of me. I might add that I worked until 60 years of age, 12 hours a shift, to earn a private pension to make me independent. I pay income tax and community charge out of my private pension so I believe I have the right to go to town on any day I choose.

Florence Platt, Boardmans Lane, St Helens.

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