YOUR photograph of New Road with rows of empty seats tells it all. County cricket has had a diminishing spectator appeal since at least 1960.

Gate receipts account for less than 4 per cent of income, and if it was not for the share of Test Match and TV fees, they would not be in business.

One of the ground stewards told me on a fine sunny day in August that less than 20 people had paid through the turnstiles that day and this would not even cover the wages of the staff.

So Messrs Margrett and Walter (You Say, October 2 and 11) have a point when asking for a return of the previous concession of reduced admission charges for pensioners.

Who knows, they may even spend some money in the ground.

Incidentally, Mr J Norwood (You Say, October 11) should know that the two professional clubs in Worcestershire do allow considerable discounts both at the gate and to pensioner season ticket holders.

W H FORRESTER,

Worcester.