With Christmas almost upon us, I write a word of warning about a fad that will no doubt reach greater proportions once this year's presents have been opened - I refer of course to "heelies'' i.e. shoes with an incorporated wheel in the heel that enable people to whizz about at speeds generally associated with bicycles and other more traditional methods of locomotion.

Only yesterday I was witness to an elderly woman almost being knocked over by a bunch of irresponsible youths gliding past her on these so-called "shoes''.

I have always found that the best way to go from one place to another is with a good pair of sturdy boots, sadly this is no longer good enough for some people.

Cornelius Chesterfield, Southampton.