EUROPEAN Union laws have increased the cost of directory enquiries to around £5 per minute.

If you let 118 numbers put you through the charge continues at £5 per minute for the whole call.

Directory enquiries used to be cheap until the EU demanded they be put out to open competition.

Now the cost of 118 numbers is frightening. There was a story of a woman who was charged £137 for a 26 minute call.

What is most frightening is that these 118 numbers do not give you any warning that they are charging you at the rate £5 a minute.

STEVE HALDEN Beaufort Green Swindon