I was always under the impression that students were hard done by, had mountains of debt, shopped in Netto and clothed themselves from charity shops!

My attitude has changed somewhat after reading about the 21-year-old student who is hoping to rent his penthouse apartment to the high society of Royal Ascot for £18,500 a week (April 9).

The palatial pad boasts everything anyone could wish for. But what annoys the most is the boast that it isn't the student's "main home".

No wonder first-time buyers are having problems getting on the property ladder. No wonder the student wishes to be anonymous.

As a result of this student's show of greed and disrespect to all genuine "skint" students, I ask for anybody offering student discounts to cease immediately. It is pretty clear that students aren't as poor as they make out to be!

PR Willey

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 09:35 Monday, April 12, 2004