SIR - At one time, stories for children had hidden morals or warning themes. Nowadays they are an introduction to a life of fiction where real existence is a short interval between long bouts of escapism in books, TV, films or gaming.

Fake news on the internet is a logical extension to this existence built on illusion and delusion. We are living with so much unreality that we have forgotten a fact of life: the need for water and the consequences of being without it.

If the rainfall is insufficient, it matters not a jot if water companies are not fixing the leakages and Ofwat incentivises companies. Instead of pushing for urgent legislation, or the cost of re-nationalisation (minimal, if no water), we would be losing the mainstay of our existence and would be faced with having to live or die in the real world.

Geoff Naylor, Birch Close, Winchester, Hampshire