RE the story, Ex-paras join battle to free wife. It may interest the county council to know that news of its action regarding Dennis Cramp and Lancashire Social Services has reached the other side of the world.

I consider that action is very high handed, and the reasons given totally unsatisfactory. I consider myself to have reasonable experience in these matters.

My wife suffered a stroke in 2002 and was in hospital for six weeks. When the time came for her discharge, there was a meeting between hospital staff and the family.

Various options were put forward. Plan A was for her to return home, and I would become the primary care giver. There were also plans B and C. However, I told them Plan A was the only option I would consider. I told them that I realised that it would not be easy, but that as a teenager, I had received training of a very high standard.

From memory I think that they were talking of giving me a couple of days trial. Well, I have been carrying out the role of primary care giver now for over two years. The hospital visitor drops in from time to time and she says that she is pleased with the standard of care that my wife is receiving.

It is not easy, there is food preparation and planning, dispensing medication, washing clothes, doing housework as well as the work outside and trying to find time for little outings. I do my best and take each day at a time.

Dennis Cramp's wife should have been returned to her husband and home. If necessary the Lancashire social services could have monitored the situation. The current situation appears to be an abuse of power.

ANGUS JONES, Ex 42 Commando Royal Marines, Veteran of the UK Armed Forces, Auckland, New Zealand.