A BIG bust is not necessarily the envy of all, despite what episodes of Baywatch may imply. For when Nature has doubly blessed you, finding a suitable bra becomes Mission Impossible.

A 27 years-old Westhoughton woman writes in despair to enlist the help of BEN readers:

"I am a large, bubbly, fashionable lady finding it almost impossible to find a lingerie shop that caters for my size - a 42H cup.

Today, I set out to find a nice bra with matching briefs. Beforehand, I spent 45 minutes on the 'phone to Manchester, Wigan and Bolton stores.

I spoke to a very helpful lady in Bolton who had one bra only, which had been imported from America. She welcomed me to try it on. The price tag totalled £45, which was downright extortion and, above all, didn't fit correctly.

Now, with a bee in my bonnet, I visited one of Bolton's leading chainstores which deals with ladieswear and lingerie, only to find no bras in my size.

But if I were a B, C or D cup I would be able to find a vast range of beautiful bras averaging £9.99.

I find it absolutely appalling in this day and age, when the average lady is a size 16, that these manufacturers are just not catering for our size. This is just not acceptable any more.

They say big is beautiful, so I want sexy, feminine underwear in various colours and designs, and at affordable prices, to show off my figure, and not have to resort to ringing my gran to ask where she buys hers!"

She signs herself "A very disBUSTed reader."

Well, what do YOU think? Are there other females out there who have had similar experiences and/or who can help our unhappy reader?

Are there any lingerie firms out there who can help - not just this one reader, but the many local women who have a large bust, but a very small lingerie drawer?

Write with any help or advice to: BRA WARS, Angela Kelly, Features Department, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.