I AM an ex-member of the army and served 12 years across the world in most areas of conflict.

I use my free leisure centre membership for swimming mainly, but occasionally also use the gym.

I don’t wish to get embroiled in the rights and wrongs of the council's ideas on cutting costs etc, what must be must be.

However one point I would like to bring to your attention is the fact that ex-forces who have served their country for anything up to 22-plus years will, under this proposal, be stopped from enjoying the use of these facilities for free.

These are people who now live in the local area, serving personnel will only have the benefit while home on leave, and that is for short bursts due to current operational commitments.

My main gripe is the fact that the benefit will still allow Army Cadet Force Adult volunteers, whom are not employed by the army and are in no way part of the army to continue using the scheme.

This to me is where the cost implications to the council are as I believe the Air Training Corps and Sea Cadets Adults are entitled also.

Along of course with the TA, however they in my opinion are slightly different but not that much as they parade once a week for two hours however are classed as reserve forces.

I just wanted readers to be aware of that information as I'm not sure the council are aware of who they have thrown the cards at.

Lee Osborne by email.