Burning books for warmth

Letter: I recently read that pensioners are buying secondhand hardback books to burn in their fires and stoves.

Librarians must be biting their finger nails down to the quick at the thought of all this book burning. But is it surprising when a 20kg bag of coal can cost £5, with gas bills and electricity prices rising 40 per cent and 20 per cent respectively since the beginning of 2008? I am informed that a hardback book can sell for as little as 5p.

In parallel to all this, the Government tells us it intends to spend billions of our money on offshore windfarms – now that should truly give everyone a warm glow – welcome to the 21st century.

Dave Haskell

Pembs