THE response to my letter in the Evening Advertiser (October 17) about age discrimination has, as usual, been alarming.

Yet again I have heard from people barred from working for local employers because of their age.

Like the person who was on the brink of being offered a driving job by a Swindon car sales organisation until they heard he was 65 and said their insurers wouldn't cover him. Someone in their 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s is just as likely to be good, bad, safe or dangerous as a driver it's their competence as a driver that's important, not their age.

But drivers aren't the only ones discriminated against. The Advertiser (October 18) reported the Courts Service had received a response to publicity from 30 people who want to become magistrates in Swindon but it said more people are still needed.

What it failed to add is the courts' ageist policy means anyone in their mid 60s need not apply because you can't sit as a magistrate at 70 and it takes a couple of years to train.

It's time employers woke up to the fact older people have skills and experience to offer as employees.

From December 2006 age discrimination in employment will be banned by law. But we shouldn't have to wait until 2006 to employ people because they can do a job competently irrespective of their age.

We want to hear more examples from Swindon people so we can do something about age discrimination sooner rather than later.

J Osorio

Age Concern Swindon