SIR - I have never written a letter to any newspaper before but your front page story Orphan too poor to go to school' (T&A, November 27) has made me put pen to paper.

How is it, in this country, when people can come here from all parts of the world and claim all kinds of benefits, that this girl is only entitled to £30 per week?

This loophole in the benefits system should be plugged immediately but knowing how slowly the wheels of government turn, I won't hold my breath.

In the meantime, where is the great God charity? Recently, the BBC dedicated a whole day to raise money for Children in Need.

I do not know what criteria must be met for this charity to classify a child as being in need, but if Kirsty Oldfield does not qualify I can't think of anyone who would.

If this charity were to give the bright, hard-working girl a bursary of, say, £350 per month to pay for her food and lodgings, clothing, travelling expenses to and from school and the incidental expenses which we all incur, then together with her £30 Education Maintenance Allowance and her wages from her part-time job, she should be financially okay.

Oh, and what sort of government department is it which can advice a 17-year-old girl that in order to obtain the benefits she needs, she should get herself pregnant? Words now fail me.

Ken Chadwick, Higher Downs, Bradford