I have just read the letter from David Burgess in last week's paper and I must take issue with points he makes.

I agree that a school must have dress code and a designated style, a uniform. The trouble with having a uniform that is only available from one specific supplier is that the cost is so much higher. I am not in favour of fashion clothes being worn at school as this can segregate pupils into rich and poor. His comment in paragraph six is complete nonsense. A pupil aged16 will not be able to wear clothes bought when they first started at secondary school at age 11. Of course more fuss is made in August regarding the cost of uniforms as that is when the majority of uniforms are bought. Simple.

A school can have a uniform in set colours e.g. dark grey trousers, white shirt and a specific colour for a jumper without it only being available from a specific supplier. Today's children do not really want to wear jackets but if they do one could be designated and sourced locally.

A local school has introduced a new uniform from the beginning of the new school year, not wanted by the pupils and their parents who have to fund it. It is only available through one supplier. The cost of kitting out a pupil with only the basic requirements of the uniform is in the region of £200. I know as I have first-hand knowledge of the cost. A similar coloured uniform bought from local traders would cost a fraction of this, far less than £100 for the same basic requirement.

I appreciate that David Burgess, Chairman, Schoolwear Association, is trying to protect his members' interests but at what cost to parents, especially single parents who cannot realistically afford these greatly inflated prices? Children quickly grow out of the uniform and so greater expense is then incurred having to go back to the sole supplier to replace them. The various elements of a uniform bought at local traders wear just as well and look equally smart as the more expensive ones.

In closing I have to wonder why single suppliers are designated against local traders. Are the schools getting a rebate from the Schoolwear Association or its members for putting a large amount of business their way? I also note that all the frustration felt by David Burgess and his members is nothing compared to the frustration felt by the majority of parents.

MR D BROWN Corsham