COURTESY of the local council trading standards department our home is no longer plagued by phuggers (my term for phone pests). Substituting that nuisance are the chuggers (from their former city centre comfort zone). They totally ignore the "no cold callers" request notice. Recently, I was doorstepped by a representative from a leading Glasgow health charity to sign up by direct debit or alternatively pay cash for inclusion in a weekly draw. In view of this charity's proven good work I relented and made a cash contribution.

I stressed that this was a one-off contribution. The collector's parting shot of "see you next month" indicated my limited powers of persuasion. In fairness, the charity chief later apologised for his collector breaching the charity's own code of practise.

Sadly, this reaction is rare, albeit welcome, in the relentless bombardment of our homes by unsolicited callers.

Allan C Steele,

22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.