In August, three people in our block had their meters read.

In September, we each received a letter to say that, in order to get us in-line with other residents, we would have our meters read again on October 22.

At the beginning of October, we received a second, similar letter from Southern Water, stating someone would call by on October 22.

On October 15, seven days before the proposed visit, I arrived home from work to find a card through the door saying someone had called to read my meter but I was out, as were the other two residents.

Because my neighbour - one of the three concerned - holds our keys, she telephoned Southern Water, whose representative said he had no knowledge of the earlier two letters.

An appointment was made for the meter-reader to attend on another morning between 8am and 10am to read all three meters.

When he arrived, he said he could only read one meter because the other two were not on his computer and we should telephone to make another appointment.

Then he would call back. This despite the fact that I live on the same floor as my neighbour.

Taking into account the petrol wastage, postage, time and so on, if this has happened to three people in a block of 30 flats, what is happening throughout the area covered by Southern Water?

No wonder this country is in such a mess if the large public utilities conduct their affairs in this way.

-Mrs S A Simpson, Palmeira Avenue, Hove