FOLLOWING yesterday’s public sector strike, which saw workers taking action across the UK, I’d just like to say thank you to:

* The teachers who taught me so much more than reading and writing;

* The paramedics who safely took me to hospital;

* The nurses who looked after me when I broke my leg;

* The firefighters who came to my aid when I had an accident;

* The midwives who helped deliver my niece and nephews;

* The air traffic controllers who ensure my holiday flight arrives and departs safely;

* The border staff who fight daily to keep terrorists and drugs off our streets;

* The registrar who presided over my marriage;

* The refuse collectors, without whom we’d be in an awful mess;

* The librarians who helped when I was without email;

* The gardeners who keep our parks and open spaces beautiful;

* And even the police officer who booked me when my car light was defective.

These people are to have their pensions cruelly slashed.

Just because private employers offer such lousy pensions, we shouldn’t underpay public sector pensions. Nobody joins the public sector to get rich.

ANDREW COLES Farmington Drive Witney