WITH the Government pushing up the state retirement age for the rest of us, Police and Fire Service pensions appear ever more generous.

Metropolitan Police officer with 20 years service can retire on a full police pension at the ridiculously early age of 41.

I turned 55 last year. I keep slim and fit, eat healthily and drink very little alcohol.

However, I noticed massive physical changes in the past 11 months.

I would say retirement at 55 is fair and essential for the police or fire service.

How much is retirement below 55 costing the Met?

This is just one force, remember.

As Government borrowing continues to climb or is still huge (depending on who you believe) we can't afford to pension off fit officers anywhere below the age of 55 on a full pension.

These people are being paid to go to work. Life expectancy of 90 is commonplace now thanks to the NHS. The existing terms and conditions can be varied by act of parliament not just for new officers but for everyone.

For those who have already left below the age of 55 I would offer them their old jobs back.

Don't most of them work somewhere else anyway?

Nigel Boddy, Darlington.