Sir, – As a regular buyer of second hand books, I feel qualified to comment on the views of Robert Paley (D&S letters Aug 15) and G Matthews, to whose earlier letter he refers.

Shopping in any book shop, but especially in a secondhand book shop or charity shop, is not like going into a supermarket with a list. I rarely enter a book shop with a specific book in mind. I browse the shelves. Sometimes I am delighted to find a book I haven’t got by an author I like, and often I find a complete surprise – something unexpected that I couldn’t have gone looking for because I didn’t know it existed.

I think that’s kind of the point of a second hand book shop. I always have the intention of making a purchase – if I find something I want to buy – but quite often I draw a blank and leave the shop empty handed.

I imagine a lot of people do the same, and I suppose the same principle applies to antique shops.

If Mr Paley and Mrs Matthews find this behaviour inexplicable and annoying, perhaps they should open a supermarket together. Even then they would run the risk of “ill-clad and often obese members of the public … some with dogs” getting in.

Maybe they should create check-points at the entrance to Hawes, and only allow slim and well-dressed people into the town. I don’t know if I would qualify, but at least I don’t have a dog.

DAVE DALTON

Station Road, Richmond.