I really must take issue with Frank Hare's ill-informed attack on nurses, teachers and council staff (Your Letters, October 3).

Firstly, I would challenge the myth that inflation-linked pensions are somehow superior to other forms of occupational pension.

Because in normal times average earnings rise faster than inflation, earnings-linked pensions, like those provided by many private sector employers, provide a far better future for employees. Inflation-linked pensions fall steadily behind, as state pensioners know all too well, and for the same reason.

As for droves of "able-bodied ex-council, NHS staff and teachers idling around our streets on fat pensions", I think I must be missing something, or are they just in leafy Cradley? And as for public sector workers living longer, what alternative does Mr Hare suggest?

Over the past few years, Malvern Hills District Council staff have been through a time of great stress and uncertainty about their futures as councillors have striven to balance the books against the continued pressures on their budget from central government.

A number have been made redundant against their will and others have had to change their jobs. Public service is no longer the "cushy job for life" it was once thought to be.

In spite of this, the staff of MHDC have generally faced change with a positive attitude and with a sense of service to the community.

It is a great shame that because they are unable to answer on their own behalf, people like Mr Hare are able to spread their misleading prejudices about their conditions of service.

Coun Jon Rayner, Chase Ward.