SIR, I have come to England each year for the past 29 years, usually around autumn/winter, in order to be in the Lake district.

I usually spend four weeks.

Last November I came and stayed for six months, 16 weeks of that in the Lake District.

I took advantage of the winter-break offers by some hotels.

Most were excellent.

The Sawrey Hotel, Bridge Hotel, Grasmere, New Dungeon Ghyll and Forrest Side, Grasmere.

I did not stay at some of the hotels that I contacted as they demanded a hefty single supplement or would not take a single person, even in March, when foot-and-mouth restricted activities, although I required a double for my two grandchildren as well as a single.

The staff at Windermere Tourist office, who were of great assistance and made contact for me at some hotels, were at a loss to explain this, as the hotels had few visitors.

There were other hotels who advertised winter breaks until late March but then raised the price after the first week in March!

I enjoyed touring a large part of Cumbria and will keep coming and bringing my family each year but I will stick to the hotels that I know.

The complaints I heard regarding the tourist industry did not evoke the understanding it deserved from me because of the strange attitude regarding singles.

Victor ben-Zvi

Israel