You report on our successful bid to obtain a rent rebate for the damage caused on our allotments by last year's floods (Oxford Mail, June 20).

The report sparks a number of comments.

Firstly, those floods cost our members 80 per cent crop losses, including the more permanent crops like raspberries, gooseberries and others of that type.

Additionally, they cost the association £1,100 in damage to machinery and fittings.

We have been tenants of Oxford City Council since 1853 and have never reneged on our rent, paid it late or sought any previous rebate.

This time, we thought it fair to seek some redress and approached the then Liberal-controlled executive for a rent-free year. We were instantly rebuffed.

To make some progress, we modified our demands to a rent-free six months. Again, we were instantly rebuffed.

In May, political control of the council changed to Labour, who immediately agreed to our compromise.

We have to thank them for that and to thank the Oxford Mail for its coverage of this drawn-out saga.

Your publicity kept the issue alive and kept us resolute in pursuit of a small but important act of economic justice.

JOHN POWER Secretary Osney, St Thomas and New Botley Allotments Association Ferry Hinksey Road Oxford