ON November 11, Remembrance Sunday, we honour the heroes of two world wars who died for our freedom. Just eight days later, five honest traders are to appeal to the High Court in London over their 'offence' of selling produce in pounds and ounces, not kilograms.

There were no victims and no customer complaints, but total costs of over £72,000 have already been awarded against them.

Did those brave servicemen and women sacrifice their lives so that 60 years later shopkeepers could be prosecuted for selling goods in the traditional British measures requested by their customers? Selling in pounds and ounces is obviously a greater threat to society than speeding at up to 100 mph, as in the case of one Chief Constable and the Home Secretary's chauffeur -- as miraculously the law does not seem to apply to those in high places.

The vindictiveness of the authorities in using public funds to pursue the five traders is even more disturbing now that the police have been urged to go soft on vandalism, shoplifting and other crime.

The regulations are contradictory and the traders believe they acted within the law. They and their families will need all the financial help they can get in their protracted battle against bureaucracy.

Derek Norman

Council Member, British

Weights & Measures Association

45, Montgomery Street,

Edinburgh EH7 5JX

(tel: 0131-556 6080)