I WAS sorry to read of the death, at the age of 82, of Cynthia Payne, “Madam Cyn” as she was called. If nothing else she gave everybody a good laugh, at a time – 1978 – when we all badly needed cheering up.

Everybody that is except the judge who gave her 18 months, a disgracefully disproportionate sentence when you consider all she ever did – all she ever wanted to do – was give people a good time.

She certainly succeeded too, especially where the punters were concerned.

As for the girls themselves, they were well looked after and cared for, and kept completely safe – a far cry from the unfortunate girls working the streets of Middlesbrough after nightfall.

I’m sure there wasn’t a bad bone in her body, and that she never knowingly, or even unknowingly, hurt anyone in her entire life – and there are not many people you can say that about.

A fond farewell to Cynthia. God rest her soul.

I’m sure she’ll be up in heaven long before many more supposedly respectable people (especially that misery-guts of a judge who sentenced her).

Tony Kelly, Crook.