When a cruel and disgusting excuse for a human stole our garden bench from the sheltered housing complex I live in some months ago, I thought perhaps a nice retired carpenter or woodworker might offer to make another one for us, a woodworking factory might think of us or Sir Paul McCartney might have volunteered - but no.

Now all the old but very with-it ladies have to sit on the damp grass, getting cold bums, hastening our trip to heaven perhaps.

I might see if Brighton station has some spare sleepers - it's very good wood - but I don't think we had better wield any hammers.

-Mrs Lois Maddison, Old Viaduct Court, Hartington Road, Brighton