I GOT a busking badge last year, which cost nothing at the time.

I’m out of work and I suffer from mild agoraphobia. I love playing guitar and can sing a bit, so I’ve been out busking a couple of times last year and once this year so far.

Busking is a kind of therapy for me, but I will probably not want to do it after today, when York council is going to introduce a £10 per year fee for a busking badge.

I think there are many people such as myself who cannot get a job because of a mild disability and busk to earn a little.

My disability means I’m physically fit to work and not able to get a disability benefit, but because sometimes I get panic attacks and cannot leave my house, no one will give me a job if I can’t turn up sometimes.

Going busking is quite stressful for the first hour or so, but I love it when people comment on the songs I do.

I think many people will not renew their badge and York will be quieter and worse off for the lack of music on our streets.

R Hutchinson, Montague Street, South Bank York.