I ask readers to look kindly upon their paper boy this Christmas.

I am concerned the idea of a Christmas Box for the paper boy has become somehow "old fashioned".

For the past two years, my son has risen at 6.30am in order to spend

an hour delivering papers before he grabs some breakfast and goes to school at 7.45am.

For doing this seven days a week, he receives less than £3 a day.

In winter, it can be a dark, wet, cold and miserable experience but it teaches my son, and others like him, to become conscientious and reliable. I hope readers will offer some festive encouragement to these hardworking and often unseen young people.

-Philippa Smith, Addison Road, Hove