YOU printed my letter on the topic of begging letters in August, but equally large quantities of junk mail keep arriving from organisations trying to give me large amounts of money and prizes from cars to cruises.

I only have to send £9.95 or complete a direct debit mandate to get a Mercedes or some other fabulous gift.

What a lucky boy I am.

A couple of months ago I decided to write to one of these people thanking them for their kind offer but regretting, as I am a 76-year-old widower with no disposable income, that I could not forward the £9.95 in return for the £20,000 guaranteed.

I asked if they would kindly deduct the £9.95 from the £20,000 and just send me the balance.

Strange, but I haven't heard another word.

IVAN E RICKWOOD

Eldene