I won't hold breath for benefits
I have on two occasions applied for the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance and on both occasions have been refused, despite the fact that I have severe breathing problems.
I was born and bred in this country and have paid taxes all my working life, as did my parents before me.
I do not stand on street corners preaching terrorism, nor do I incite my fellow compatriots to perform violent acts against my country, yet I have to accept being treated as a second class citizen.
It appears to me that because I am not a foreigner who can claim discrimination, I am, institutionally, being discriminated against.
I was informed that as I am white and British I cannot claim discrimination.
I would appreciate someone explaining the logic behind this comment.
I have written to my MP but I won't hold my breath. We pensioners are only too well aware that this Government would rather prop up ailing businesses than provide a decent standard of living to its elderly.
Pat Rooney, via email

No disabled person should face abuse
After reading both Paula Caulton's recent letters, I felt I had to write in.
I think it is absolutely despicable that she is frequently abused when she parks in a disabled space with her blue badge.
She is registered disabled and people should leave her alone. Why it would bother these elderly people is beyond me.
I would like to know what their problem is.
They seem to think that because a person is young there is nothing wrong with them. It is not just the elderly who can be disabled and it's about time people realised this.
No disabled person should have to put up with any abuse from anyone.
These people should just mind their own business. To Paula and all the younger people in this situation, just walk away with your head held high.
They have no right to upset you like this, so try your best to ignore them.
Lynne, via email (full name and address supplied)

Foul treatment of residential streets
As a Preston resident, I have to say I am sick to death of stepping out of my house and into a pile of dog mess.
A few months ago, some kind owner allowed their dog to drop its load literally on my doorstep.
After a few days, some religious salespeople kindly spread it around by stepping in it and then wiping their feet.
I have to ask; how would the dog owners feel if I used their doorstep as a toilet? I'd probably get arrested.
The irony is, while the dog owner was waiting for its animal to finish, they probably turned around and spotted the "no fouling" sign on the lamp post two metres to the right.
The Council have done a wonderful job in recent years in clearing the city centre of dog mess, but in residential areas - frequently used by children, to whom animal faeces can be extremely harmful - everyone seems to turn a blind eye.
No wonder, who would want to get into an argument with some bloke with two bull terriers barely restrained by a length of rope?
I am aware that a lot of dog owners now carry bags and pick up the mess, but the minority as always spoil it for everyone else.
Name and address supplied

Double standards over bank crisis
What a bunch of hypocrites the Tories are.
They attack the Government for their handling of the current banking crisis, a problem starting out in America which was compounded by greedy speculators and hedge funds "short selling" on the Stock Exchange.
They then accept more than £3m in donations from those very parasites.
I might not be too enamoured of New Labour but they are highly reputable compared to this lot.
Jeff McCann, Hoghton

GET IN TOUCH
I am trying to contact any "boy entrants" who joined the RAF in the 32nd and 33rd entries at RAF Cosford, Shropshire, in 1957 and 1958.
There were nearly 500 lads aged 15-17 who trained over an 18-month period.
We were taught to be air radar mechanics, telegraphists, wireless mechanics, cooks and photo-graphers.
Times were hard, discipline was tight... just to have a cigarette you had to write home and get written permission from your parents, in order to apply for a smoking pass.
Kit inspections, billet inspections, parades, loads of sport and church parade on Sunday mornings, were our lot.
Girls? They were strictly for the weekend. Providing you had not been punished for some minor misdemeanour; it was off to Wolverhampton on the train.
We all told the girls we were pilots, of course, what with our pressed creases, chequered hatbands and flash badges on our arms. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of our Passing Out as qualified airmen and we are planning to get together to celebrate.
Please contact me on 01772 424831 or look on the website of the RAF Boy Entrants Association, www.rafbea.org.
Ken Green, Cedarwood Drive, Leyland

Broughton High School reunion
I am thinking of arranging a school reunion for former pupils of Broughton High School who were the class of '92.
At the moment it is just in the planning stage and I'm trying to figure out how many of my classmates would be interested in attending.
So, if you left Broughton High in 1992 and fancy catching up with all your old mates, or if you taught pupils leaving at this time, please text or call me on 07789754054.
Feel free to leave an email address to save my phone bill!
I look forward to seeing you all.
Christine Hahn (nee Whyte), address supplied

I was in old Girl Guide photo
I write with regard to your request for more information on a recent Looking Back photo of Girl Guides.
It was taken on the Isle of White during a day trip from the Guide Camp at Brocklehurst in the New Forest. The guides were Angela Waring, Angela Hilton, Rita Bretherton, Katie Brindle, Rosemary Birchall, Angela Birchall.
I am formerly Angela Waring, and now live on the Greek Island of Skopelos with my husband.
Angela McClellan, via email

Mind your step
There is a public notice in Harris Street, Preston which reads: "All Motorists Beware of Pedestrians." Are we such a menace?
H Entwistle, Newlands Avenue, Penwortham

To see your letters, texts and emails published here and in the paper:

• WRITE TO: Reader's Letters, Lancashire Evening Post, Oliver's Place, Fulwood, PR2 9ZA


• EMAIL: lepforum@lep.co.uk


• TEXT: LEPSHOUT (space) and your comments (up to 160 characters max.) to 84070


• FAX: 01772 880173

All letters must include the author's name and address, although use of part of the address and noms de plume will be allowed. Include a daytime telephone number if possible.
TEXTS costs 25p plus normal network rates. If you do not want to receive information on any other products or services, text the word EXIT at the end of your message.