DAME Joan Bakewell is the governments care of the elderly TSAR.

We are undoubtedly an ageist society; especially in the field of employment (In spite of the new laws).

Couple ageism with the fact that people are living longer and the problem is clearly serious. Youth, middle age and old age are all natural progressions. So old age should not be treated like a disease. The cult of youth is acceptable in the field of sport, but not right across the age range. Leave that to the Californians, who cook their bodies without realising they are frying their brains. (All they need is love).

I am no spring chicken. I can even remember the days when the Sunday papers were all in one section. And I do notice that these days there is less media interest in me. Which is a pity, because my wife calls me Maestro Max, amongst other things.

MAX NOTTINGHAM, Lincoln.