I was appalled by the vitriolic abuse of pensioners, of which I am one, by Adam Trimingham. There were no GCSEs and A levels when I was at school. I was at one of the two senior boys schools in Hove where only three boys won scholarships to the Brighton Grammar School.

The rest of us left school at 14 years old and went to work for four shillings a week. At 18, I was required for the armed services and when I was demobbed at 24 there was no full employment, as Mr Trimingham implies. What jobs there were had gone to those fortunate enough to belong to the services, who were demobbed first.

I am sorry Mr Trimingham begrudges spending his "hard- earned" cash to help people like myself but he should reflect that if it was not for people like myself he would not be free to write the rubbish he does.

-J. Denman, Bramber Avenue, Hove