6 JANUARY 2007, Page 15

British bad service

From Laurence Hughes Sir: I concur with Rian Malan in his article 'British banks make me glad to be South African' (16/23 December). Banks here are no longer user-friendly unless you take the trouble to go into your branch, and there are other aspects of the quality of life in the UK which have also deteriorated in a similar way. Previously we had a charming little post office at the bottom of our road. I now have to walk to the nearest branch in Aldwych, and when I get there there's a long queue. The local post office in Umhlanga Rocks in South Africa, however, has almost doubled its staff in recent years, which means it can provide more jobs and a better service.

Laurence Hughes Clifford's Inn, London EC4