My BT telephone bill includes £4.50 as a "payment processing fee". After over half an hour of pressing various telephone numbers and listening to music for long periods I was eventually able to ask what this charge was for.

I was told that it is due to me not paying my bill by Direct Debit.

As this seemed to be more of a fine than a justifiable charge/fee I then informed them that I, too, was imposing a processing charge for the work involved in paying - ie, getting the money, filling in the payment slip and then travelling to where I could actually pay the money.

This charge (fee or fine) I had worked out also comes out at £4.50 so I reckon that squares the circle.

I suggest that others do the same.

Rev Ted Spiller, Thirsk, North Yorkshire.