TESCO'S board members shared a £16.8 million payout last year, with chief executive Sir Terry Leahy getting almost £3 million.

His pension pot is worth £3.8 million.

I do not believe anyone is worth that amount, it doesn't matter how many good ideas they have brought to the company. Staff at Tesco's are asked for their ideas, but no one receives a bonus in their wage packet.

Now Tesco are trialling stopping sick pay for three days to cut down the shirkers who take time off when they feel like it.

I admit it does want sorting, but why penalise genuine members of staff?

Surely the brain-boxes at head office, many of whom are also overpaid, could send a directive down to each store asking them to check work records, and weed out those who are swinging the lead.

It would be a nice gesture for Mr Leahy and all the other overpaid directors to put their hands in their back pockets and bring a little sunshine into our otherwise drab lives.

If it wasn't for the hard work of all genuine Tesco employees, there wouldn't be a Tesco plc!

Colin Henson,

Moorcroft Road,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, May 26, 2004