SIR - Many years ago, my mother had serried rows of jars around her kitchen shelves. None were labelled "fags", "booze" "drugs"! All required weekly deposits - her first priority being "rent".

Nowadays, "John" (Worcester News, January 17) need give no thought or concern to such mundane matters.

Taxpayers-funded benefit systems - aided and abetted by Worcester Housing Benefits and Advice Centre - will ensure that he can forget liabilities which plagued my mother. This will all help him receive the benefits he needs!

FRANK L JONES,

Malvern,

Worcestershire.

H JUDGE (Mrs),

Droitwich.