IN reply to Mr J Monaghan's letter.

The point I was making was that our troops should not have to pay over the odds for equipment needed.

They are not issued boots for desert wear if we are in our winter period, regardless of the climate abroad and if they require these items they have to purchase them themselves.

I was making an issue of the fact that we should look after the people who are, in effect, looking after us. If that is the case why do they have to pay for their transportation costs abroad on training exercises i. e to France!

When they have photographs taken they have to pay for these and also have to pay for them to be sent to their relations. I do not disagree with this as these are costly items and unnecessary and merely for personal pleasure to hang on our walls.

I am not making this point simply because my son is in the army; we depend on our armed forces and would certainly feel less secure if they were not in force. All I wanted to point out was that we should applaud and commend their bravery -- after all how many people would stand there and put their life on the line?

Mrs Spilsbury

Great Lever

Bolton