As only an occasional contributor to your pages, I feel that I have now definitely arrived after receiving a severe savaging by your regular letters writer, Harold Trace.

However, his use of epithets is somewhat misguided and I only admit to one of the three he offered (namely "grumpy", "old" and "Tory") and that is the one over which I have no control whatsoever.

It is well known that the use of personal abuse is the last resort of those who have run out of ideas and Mr Trace's seem limited to frequent incontinent eulogies of the local NHS, perhaps with a view to smoothing his eventual swift route to eternity on one of those supersonic blue light ambulances he mentions.

My crime was, apparently, to repeat the statement made by Spelthorne in their bulletin, to the effect that the over-65s would not be welcome in the Ashford Hospital Walk-In Centre. But, I have to say, there is more on offer for the angry Mr Trace's delectation.

Spelthorne also stated that children under two years old would not be treated there at all and those under 12 years would not be given any medication.

So, we are reliably informed that the local NHS not only turns us old wrinklies away but does not suffer the little children to come unto them either.

What sort of service do you call that for goodness' sake? Can Mr Trace tell us what a frantic parent who arrives at Ashford Hospital hoping for comfort and medical care is supposed to do?

Take the bus to St Peter's Hospital? Or perhaps they can hop on the next blue light ambulance that comes along? I really despair!

GC LEGGETT Springfield Road Ashford