KEITH Fort (LET, October 13) does not tell the whole story of what happened to the pound in February 1971. Prior to decimalisation, we had 240 pennies to the pound. On the day of the changeover, we only had 100 pennies to the pound.

We lost 140 pennies, which equals 11s 8d, so that meant we lost a considerable amount of money.

I have heard politicians say that the change did not cause inflation, but it did and in some cases, 100 per cent.

There was no increase in wages to make up the loss. We had to grin and say "thank 'ee kindly, sorr, for the pittance you have given me."

The wages were so pitifully low that I wonder how on earth Keith Fort could save any money at all.

The answer to his arithmatic question is: £2 17s 11d. We can throw the farthings away -- they were no good anyway.

LESLIE JONES, Aviemore Close, Audley, Blackburn.