I wish to bring to public attention the way in which Worcestershire County Council, through its library service, deters local amateur artists from exhibiting their work for public enjoyment and possible sale.

We pay for these libraries through our ever increasing Council Tax, yet when local amateur artists wish to exhibit their work, for pleasure and potentially for sale to friends and neighbours, the county council demands a massive 31.9 per cent take from the sale price. This is made up of 20 per cent commission, plus the VAT at 17.5 per cent.

Demanding that any picture sales are charged through the council's financial services, and not a personal sale via the artist, means VAT must be added.

The library is a public facility the public pays for directly through local taxes and local art and craft groups should be able to use this public facility to show, and possibly sell their art without the county council becoming involved.

That is not all! If an artist displays a picture with a sale price and then withdraws it, they must pay the council 23.5 per cent of the noted price! Also, if a deposit is paid by a member of the public against a picture and the full sale fails to materialise, then the council pockets all the deposit and the artist gets nothing!

I call upon the council to use some common sense in the administration of our libraries, paid for by the public. Allow local art and craft groups to display their creations, and possibly for sale by direct negotiation between the group/artist and the purchaser, without nanny Worcestershire County Council becoming involved in the sale whatsoever. There is no need, it has not been asked to do this and it is a direct deterrent to the development of local amateur support groups, interested in promoting a community interest in creative arts and crafts.

Rosemary Ostick, The Beeches, Upton-upon-Severn.