LAST month I retired. I didn’t really want to leave. I had intended to work on past 60, but last summer I was told my job was to become full-time.

When the job was advertised it said ‘job share considered’, so I applied, along with many others.

None of us were interviewed. One morning my boss came to say that someone had the job. She was on something called a relocation list.

I had never heard of this list. I was offered a job on another site. I had no alternative but to accept it as no redundancy was offered.

The staff in the new job were very welcoming, but the job was not for me and I decided to retire.

I feel so sorry for all those who are losing their jobs, because, even if you are offered something else, it is not the same as choosing to change jobs yourself.

You feel you have no control over your life, and personally I felt my confidence had taken a knock.

I had been in my job for six years, and, although, as in any job, it had its ups and downs, I loved working there and knew the job and people very well.

Coming, as it did, on top of family problems, I was devastated.

I was lucky, as I was eligible for my pension, free bus pass, winter fuel allowance, and half-price travel to the airport. It could be the best move I have made. However, I would have liked to have made the choice as to when to retire without any stress.

LINDA KING (address supplied)