SIR, I couldn't agree more with your item on food shopping prices in Windermere and Ambleside compared to Kendal (Gazette, September 27, 'Food costs more in tourism area').

Retired young to write on a low income, I cycle to Kendal for most of my food shopping.

A 2lb packet of sugar is 54p in Morrisons and 99p in the Co-op in Bowness.

The cheapest loaf in Windermere is 45p while in Kendal it's 19p.

By buying own label brands, coffee is as little as 35p and 80 teabags only 38p.

There is no comparison and little loss of quality.

I'm a widower, but bringing up a family on a low income must be a nightmare.

There is one saving grace though: since I retired I've discovered the modern day 'antique shops' - charity shops.

They're great fun to browse around and packed with bargains in all departments, good clothes at a fraction of shop prices and a 'good read' can be as little as 50p.

I'm fortunate; I like cycling and going off on long camping holidays.

Food is the biggest expense though once out of traditional holiday areas it's as cheap to live in a tent and write as it is to stay at home.

Charity shops or laundrettes keep me in clean clothes.

Malcolm K

Dunn

Bowness-on-Windermere