17 APRIL 2004, Page 63

Q. I have found the perfect remedy for driving off

charity muggers when they waylay me. I just firmly say, 'Not in the street, thank you,' and walk on. They fall back astonished, while I can continue with a priggish satisfaction from both having seen them off and being polite. I think, perhaps, your readers may also find this Exocet helpful.

T.L.P., London NW2 A. TIzankyou for this useful tip. You cannot blame the charity muggers. The odd thing is that many under-thirties respond well to their street solicitations and happily sign up to have monthly contributions extracted from their bank accounts.