Some people have a nerve. Andy Webber (Oxford Mail, June 28) criticises the city council for giving rent rebates to allotment holders and asks why he and his fellow residents don't get the same for the flooding in Botley Road last year.

I have seen some lovely properties around the Osney area, but one thing my dear old mama said was: "Don't buy any house by a river" - due to floods and damp.

I have stuck to her words and have always lived in houses well above the water line - a bit breezy up here, but my carpets have lasted 60 years!

The answer is the old formula - 'Location, location, location', don't buy near rivers in low-lying areas. Why should sensible people subsidise you for a bad buy?

AJ GREEN Harefields Oxford