EARLIER this month the Scouts were out in force collecting funds at the local supermarket.

Curious, I asked a mature member of the troop: “Do you still do good turns helping people?”

“It all depends,” came the reply.

“I need help to sterilise my greenhouse,” I explained.

“Sorry we can’t do that – health and safety rules apply,” was the response.

So, in this day and age young fit people must not take risks, but an old lady over 90, who is recovering from a stroke, must go without help.

What a strange age we live in.

Stop the world, I want to get off.

Irene Green, Darlington.