Purchasing my umpteenth old record the other day, it suddenly dawned on me I am the possessor of a large collection of fine and original pictures.

Each of these pieces of creative art measures 12 inches square, the diameter of a 33rpm long-playing record.

To me, the picture on the record sleeve is all-important and, consequently, I have many records on which the same artist appears, performing the same songs, because the same record was often re-issued with many different sleeve designs.

Surely no more creative form of art exists than that to be found on record covers, ranging over every conceivable colour and design? The price is right, too - some of my favourites cost as little as 50p.

Record production largely came to an end on the introduction of CDs but hundreds of thousands are still available all over the country.

Anyone with an eye for a good picture can pick up music by their favourite artist for just a song.

-Michael Parker, Lewes Road, Brighton