I have followed with interest the case of the two night workers sacked by West Sussex County Council for allegedly sleeping on duty, and the subsequent letters in the Argus relating to this matter.

I don't know the working hours or conditions in West Sussex council nursing homes, but if they are similar to NHS hospitals, no wonder these poor women may have dozed off.

Consider this: You have to work ten-hour shifts for nine hours' pay with no official meal or coffee break. You are not allowed to switch your bleeper off while having your meal break, so you might be interrupted just as you sit down (for the first time in four hours).

Finally, to the snide correspondent who said night workers should sleep during the day - I defy anyone to sleep through the marching band practising in the park immediately opposite my bedroom window on Sunday.

And everyone who works all week is hammering and mowing on Sunday. Weekdays are no easier, as the "jungle telegraph" soon informs every delivery driver and parcel man in the area yours is the house occupied during the day, where they can leave parcels and get the elusive signature.

I feel these ladies were, on the face of it, very shabbily treated, especially after so many years' good service.

-Name and address supplied