Madam, I write in response to Ms Thomson's letter concerning Ross Post Office and myself as the only male on the counter.

The writer is either ill informed or just plain ignorant if she believes that post offices are making money. Thousands of offices have closed over the last few years and without our shop the post office in Ross would not be open. In fact on the front page of your paper last week there was a report of problems at a local post office which were probably attributable to financial difficulties.

We receive approximately 50 requests for Sellotape each week which, in itself would cost perhaps 50p. However, staff time at around two minutes for each request would cost about £15 with additional overheads such as rent, rates and service charges, if included, would increase the cost to about £28 each week.

I will admit I do not recall this individual but if she had purchased the envelopes or cards in our shop they would have been replaced or scaled at the shop counter. If bought at another stationers her complaint should have been addressed at them and not us.

For a person who lives in Sellack, l am astonished that she should take advantage of the YMCA charity shop to scrounge some tape, when their aim is to provide a roof for the homeless. I would be mortified if I had admitted such a demeaning act and would be too embarrassed to face friends and acquaintances or show my face in Ross.

One positive thing has come out of this matter is that if someone should cadge items off a charity perhaps we would do our bit for our chosen charities to compensate. We will, in future, offer small amounts of tape to anyone who requests it at the post office counter. However, each piece will cost them 25p for our Macmillan nurses tin or another worthwhile charity for which we will be arranging a collection tin. No 25p - no tape, we give the time, charitiess gain.

I doubt if our idea will be appreciated by the likes of Ms Thomson who will, I am sure, continue to take without thought for others, but there we are, one cannot satisfy everyone.

As a matter of interest I have passed a copy of her letter to the Post Office who will, no doubt, respond to your paper.

John Pugh, Subpostmaster