Wow! Happy days!

I had extra money to spend on those little things that the government in their infinite wisdom considered I would require to sustain a quality of life on attaining the age of 80.

I could follow the example set by many MPs and their expenses.

I could buy something extravagant that would improve my life.

Calling out to my wife to impart the news of this bounty, her reply was not encouraging, she was less than impressed.

What was I proposing to buy with my extra 25p? If I saved up for a month I could buy a cheap bag of sweets, if I saved up for a year I would have £12 to spend and after ten years I would have £120 and I would be 90.

I suppose by that time the money could be down payment for a wreath.

I do hope that our politicians who have set our pensions and the miserable increases are proud of themselves, of how they have treated the people who have voted for them and paid for the ticket for them to ride the gravy train they call expenses.

Tony Carpenter, Green Lane, Tivetshall St Margaret

So proud of my son the mayor

I would like to congratulate my son Simon Olander on being the Mayor of Diss for almost two years.

I think he has worked very hard, attending lots of meetings, opening new premises and lots more functions.

At last, things seem to be moving in our town, with lots of plans for the future.

Working around his busy work schedule at the post office and representing union commitments for his work colleagues, have certainly at times exhausted him.

But I think he has achieved what he wanted to do four years ago, with the help of his councillors to make Diss come alive again.

Well done Simon!

Sandra Foreman, Walcot Road, Diss

So many thanks

On behalf of the Bury St Edmunds Cats Protection fundraising committee, I would like to say thank you to the management and staff at Morrisons supermarket for allowing us to hold a store collection last Saturday for their help and friendliness during our collection.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to all the kind people who gave so generously to our store collectors and also those who donated much-needed food for the pussy cats in our care.

The total sum collected was an amazing £213.89, so again thank you so much to everyone who donated.

Lyn Stranaghan, BSE CP fundraising committee, Garboldisham

n Sunday's Mount Street Open Gardens event raised £1,841.65 for Christian Aid.

Thanks go to my neighbours who opened their gardens and worked tirelessly to achieve such a high standard, and to all those behind the scenes who helped organise the event and without whom it would be an impossible task.