WHEN I first saw your headlines on October 4, I nearly set the paper on fire, because I was absolutely blazing!

I have been after purchasing a property for over a year, but market forces keep moving the goalposts. I have much more money than this time last year, and yet, as regards house purchases, I am poorer! Even though I've a strong KICK, they keep moving the goalposts.

Capitalisation is rife with this so-called New Labour, which is more right wing than the ones we've had to contend with. No one gains by rapidly rising house prices, only minorities who are expecting inheriting properties, or those who already have several properties.

I expect landlords who rent properties out will relish this news and exploit poorer people who will be forced off the property ladder by charging exorbitant rents. Other losers will be those in terraced houses who want to move upmarket. This they cannot do if the gap between the properties exceeds the value of a second mortgage.

We don't want unscrupulous developers to use a so-called housing shortage as an excuse to build, especially here in Westhoughton.

Fed up to the teeth

Westhoughton

(Name and address supplied)