I have experienced what could only be described as "Rip-off Britain" by my local garages.

I have a Peugeot 205 diesel-driven car. Like any diesel engine, it requires the timing belt to be changed every 50,000 miles or after five years.

Last time it was done in France and, on that occasion, the garage changed the belt and charged me for two hours work.

The cost of the belt is around £10.

I enquired at four local garages and all but one quoted three and a half hours work. The amount was £120 plus VAT in two places. One garage quoted £155 and another £213 for the same job.

When I asked for an explanation, I was told it says so in the book. Wouldn't it be interesting to find out who published the book?

-Mr O Scukins, College Gardens, Brighton