IS it not about time that Exxon and Shell start paying compensation to those affected by them.

People who can 'see' flaring from their homes, over and above feeling the ground shaking, viewing the fire and dirty smoke vapours.

All the anxiety of the old, worry of explosions and worse.

I am suggesting this for that reason. If you 'see' from your home flaring you should be classed as eligible for compensation for all the hassle, health worries, plus obvious problems-dirty fiery smoke and goodness knows what other chemicals being breathed in.

The fact these plants are not doing anything makes them heartless. If they had any empathy for those that are experiencing all the above they would acknowledge this by compensating all who endure the happenings.

By not giving out anything to these people they are staying in overall control and do not care a pip about us all, our lives and what we endure.

They class us if we were dirt that they can walk over.

So come on Shell and Exxon don't keep saying new things are being installed for safety. They have been saying that for years.

We do not trust you, why not acknowledge the facts that we have. It is like you both don't feel we deserve some reward for just enduring it all.

All the promises of the past and present we can never believe, not now.

So make an effort and quickly allay folks' fears by paying them, you are acknowledging they are not imagining enlarging problems.

But it would instantly help people understanding more.

You will get hostility and more by denying all and not acknowledging the needs of the ones experiencing all this.

I know I am one. By giving to odd organisations mean nothing to us! People go through so much, post trauma syndrome and similar. Don't keep denying them it is cruel.

You maybe are trying to save money, but by paying people for all they have endured I would like to be able to acknowledge you in the Times letters page, but I expect we will be put aside as usual.

VERY WORRIED,

on behalf of pensioners in Cowdenbeath and

Lochgelly.

Plant boss at the Fife Ethylene Plant has been going around Community Councils in the area and emphasising that the millions of pounds of investment at the Exxon plant is geared to making it a better neighbour for all the surrounding communities. The Ed.