Like me, many of your readers renewing their season rail tickets at First Great Western stations recently will have been told it is now necessary to complete a new season ticket application form for each renewal, where previously it was necessary only to show your photocard.

After complaining to First Great Western about this apparently frivolous new requirement, I was informed the new policy had been set nationally by the Association of Train Companies. This was untrue.

In a second letter, I was informed the policy was designed to update First Great Western's records to assist them in administering lost or stolen tickets and compensation claims and for reiterating the terms of travel. It seems more likely the real aim is to gather data for marketing purposes, as it is necessary to tick boxes on the form to avoid personal data being handed on to others.

Happily, for customers not wishing to put up with this, First Great Western's customer liaison manager, Richard Green, has confirmed to me that, whilst completing a form on each renewal is company policy, the company cannot insist customers comply. Although this is hardly a clear statement, particularly for FGW sales staff, can I invite customers to take Mr Green at his word and refuse to fill in the forms when renewing.

Ian Walker,

Downhayes Road,

Trowbridge.