THE politicians of this country are always pleased to demonstrate to the rest of the world what a kind and generous people we are.

We give financial aid to countries like India, who can afford to spend millions of pounds sending space craft to Mars. We are quick to donate money to aid people in distress after a national disaster and our donations always seem to be much larger than any others (including the USA).

I would have no objection to this policy if our politicians ensured that our people come first.

I am nearly 87 years old.

When I retired I decided to live in a park home which is situated in a beautiful area but was six miles from the nearest shopping centre.

For years I was able to drive my own car until two years ago when I had to give up driving due to defective eyesight. I always knew something like this could happen, but I also knew that there was a limited bus service to take me to town to get my shopping on a Saturday morning. There is one bus at 10am and a second one in the evening. I always take the morning bus with several of my neighbours.

The bus is often full with mainly elderly people so there is standing room only. This is not a problem as the journey only takes 10 minutes.

We have now been informed that this bus service will stop in September due to the latest round of cost cuts. If this service ends it will isolate many people. Most of whom fought and worked for this country all their lives. It’s time politicians remembered the old saying – charity begins at home.

V FORREST Upper Pendock