Dear editor,

Having returned from a wonderful holiday in Portugal, I was appalled to read the events following the company Quidco, who was giving away free money.

I spoke to Quidco on January 30, and I mentioned their failure to inform South Western Railway of the event as well as the unexpected response I was told.

The company is reviewing its safety procedures for their staff and they certainly will not be coming back here again.

I also spoke to the Health and Safety Executive, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Network Rail, but in each case, it was not their responsibility.

Quidco showed a complete disrespect for health and safety in offering people the chance to get "something for nothing".

Are these people that desperate?

Quidco staff must have felt intimidated due to the desperate or stupid (or both) people here.

Basingstoke is supposedly full of jobs: if these people who turned up want more money, then get a job.

I feel ashamed to live with individuals who obviously have no financial acumen.

Might I suggest that next time you want your nails done or go to a betting/vape shop, go and see a financial adviser instead? Still people here always seem to have plenty of money for drink.

I believe in public order and health and safety at work and outside of it: I must be in a minority.

A copy of this has been forwarded to Basingstoke railway station.

Nicholas Burton, Basingstoke