Re: Boss's pay under fire in last week's Journal. Mr James shouldn't believe all he reads in the papers, although to be fair to the Guardian, company accounts do not tell the whole story.

It isn't true that the Board gave me a 15% pay rise. I actually received a 1.1% pay rise, the same as every other member of staff. Incidentally, our Board Members are absolutely unpaid and give their time voluntarily for the good of tenants and the community.

However, I would like to thank Mr James for his concern for tenants' welfare. Perhaps he would like some real facts:

EPHA's rents are 18% lower than the average for housing associations in this region and 28% lower than the national average.

In six years we have invested £15 million improving our homes and provided over 500 extra homes for local people.

Family HA, whom you quote by comparison of turnover, has fewer homes and their tenants pay higher rents.

One in eight households in Wychavon now live in one of EPHA's 4200 homes.

In addition we now provide homes for nurses, doctors and for private rent through our subsidiary company, of which I am also Company Secretary, and we will shortly start building a new nursing home in Evesham.

As for me, I got where I am today by studying for a degree, qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor and working as a Chief Officer in local government before helping to set up this Association.

I like my job; I work hard and am proud to say that I work for Evesham and Pershore Housing Association.

IAN HUGHES, Chief Executive, Evesham and Pershore Housing Association, High Street, Evesham.