I REFER to the excellent article in your newspaper on January 15 exposing the plight of the elderly residents.

Last night it took me one telephone call to inform your reporter of the excellent handyperson service provided by Hampshire County Council to the over-55s at a nominal rate depending on personal circumstances.

In the article Councillor Keith Trenchard was quoted as saying: “We have to help our elderly”, yet he appeared oblivious to the service available from his own county council. It would have taken only one telephone call or email for him to have obtained the essential information to help those elderly residents.

No wonder our elderly get ‘ripped off’!

Come on, Councillor Trenchard, demonstrate action, not just talk, after all that is what you were voted in for by your residents.

SUSAN BOYCE, Fareham.

When I read that Radian were going to charge their residents £60 to change a light bulb at Doreen Welfare House I was shocked.

I called the listed telephone number for the site and offered to change a bulb just to help the elderly, for nothing, as I live locally and it would be no trouble to me and would be just an act of kindness to someone who needed help.

I was told that this would not be possible as I was not a resident or employee of Radian.

I told them I was prepared to give them my full identity and any other information they require but this was also refused.

I think that if this is the case then Radian should undertake to carry out this very simple task for free as part of their duty of care.

C WELCH, Southampton.