I WAS saddened, and somewhat surprised, to read that Poundworld may well go into administration.

I was obviously wrong to think that pound shops, because of their competitiveness, would have no trouble riding out the current crisis on the high street.

About once a week, I have a walk down Redcar High Street and never fail to pop into Poundworld, where I usually buy something.

I have always enjoyed pound shops because they stock a wide variety of goods in a small space and many items on sale are just a quarter of what you would have to pay elsewhere. Even the internet, usually, cannot match them on price.

Good luck to Poundworld in resolving its problems. The pound shop is a great institution.

Steve Kay, Redcar & Cleveland councillor