IT IS outrageous that a pensioner who is perfectly happy with her telephone service can find her account switched by unscrupulous sales staff after a short cold call.

IT IS outrageous that a pensioner who is perfectly happy with her telephone service can find her account switched by unscrupulous sales staff after a short cold call.

Pauline Taylor's cautionary tale will worry many people who get unsolicited and unwanted calls from sales staff offering them cheap phone calls.

Some of these companies simply will not take no for an answer - as Miss Taylor found to her cost when she returned home from holiday.

In the now-competitive world of telecommunications in Britain, companies will try many marketing ploys to attract new business.

But it is totally unethical to switch people's account by underhand means like this. A confirmation letter that looks like junk mail and contains terms and conditions in small print is not enough for such a major decision.

A few years ago some energy supply companies developed a reputation for similar underhand tactics until the regulator stepped in and the industry cleaned up its act.

Now that industry no longer has those kind of problems - but it seems that some of the sales sharks have moved into the telecommunications business.

It is good to see that the regulator Ofcom takes the problem seriously - now it must follow up its strong words with strong actions and come down hard on any company that uses underhand tactics to get new customers.

IAN Porterfield was never a footballing superstar, but like our own Rover Osborne he was a true Wembley hero.

His trophy-winning goal in the 1973 FA Cup final will live in the memories of everyone who watched the match - and has gone down in the folklore of Sunderland.

At the time the Wearsiders were second division underdogs taking on Leeds United, one of the strongest teams in the country - and arguably the most unpopular among all fans from outside West Yorkshire!

Porterfield's goal, combined with the goalkeeping heroics of Jim Montgomery, took the cup to the North East and ensured he will be forever remembered in the region.

His death at the comparatively young age of 61 robs the game of one of its great characters, and a talented coach who took on the managerial reins at Aberdeen, Chelsea and Sheffield United after he hung up his boots.

Football has today lost a real character.

THINGS are looking up for Ipswich Wanderers!

Just 10 days after being thumped 10-1 by Needham Market in the FA Cup, the two clubs met again in the Ridgeon's League.

This time the team from Humber Doucy Lane managed to keep the Needham goals down to single figures as the lost 8-1.

The Ipswich club must now be heartily sick and tired of the team from down the A14 and will relieved that they don't have to face them again in a hurry!