YOU compare the cost of Mrs Bridge's wedding outfit with today's prices which, in my opinion, is incorrect. A working girl's wage in a factory would be, if she was fortunate, about £1/10/0 (£1.50) per week and to find £5 would be a struggle.

I am 85 years-old and have vivid memories of the 1920s and 1930s. A wedding could put a family into debt for a very long time, a 'tally' man calling every week for his bounty.

I hear or read that the working man should save towards his old age pension. Do not these buffoons know that one must spend before one can save? The wages were so low it is tantamount to asking a starving man to eat less. Wages were fixed all over England except London.

There is one redeeming feature Mr Leaver, the ladies of that period took more care of their appearance than the ladies I see dressed in clothing that should have gone to the rag and bone man. I am told that I am old fashioned living in the past.

We did not go out on a Sunday wearing the same clothes that we had worn during the week that was not done -- or infra dig is a better description. To go out on a Sunday and wear dungarees (jeans) was unthinkable. We used to wear jeans when I was a seaman working in the engine room, but never went ashore in them.

Times have changed since I was a lad, if it is for the better I will accept it, but when I learn that the people of this country have 'sold their souls to the company store' to the extent of £800billion pounds, I want no part of it. I pay cash, if I cannot, then I do without.

LESLIE JONES, Aviemore Close, Audley, Blackburn.