IN ANSWER to Michael Clarke’s letter ‘Age doesn’t add up’ , I must hold my hands up and admit I made a very, very rare (for me) mistake and say the gentleman in question is in fact 88 years young.

He served in the Royal Navy during World War II and one ship he served on was sunk. He spent some considerable time in the sea with nothing more than a lifebelt for company until he was eventually rescued.

Fortunately for him the rescue vessel was not controlled by Oxfordshire County Council because if it had been HMS OCC he would be still waiting to be rescued today - just like he is still waiting to have his blue badge renewed two and a half months after filling out all the forms and two months after they have cashed his cheque!

KEITH BROOKS Gateley, Horspath