POLITICAL correctness could spell the end of male probation officers' jobs, I fear.

The probation service in Worcestershire was absorbed into a national organisation last week.

Guidelines insist that male probation officers in the county must not prepare pre-sentence reports" ordered by magistrates and judges if a community service order or jail term is being considered with female defendants.

It seems this is somehow aimed at curbing discrimination.

However, in a stunning example of hypocrisy, the Home Office does allow female probation staff to interview male offenders.

So far, so garbled.

But Westminster has not yet amended the guidelines about how probation officers speak with defendants about bail arrangements.

So men are still allowed to chat, one-to-one, with supposedly vulnerable female offenders.

Once this anomaly is tackled, the way is paved for an all-female probation service.

What's the use of hiring male employees who are barred from talking to clients?

If I were in the probation service, I'd be lodging a complaint under sexual discrimination laws.