KER-CHING...

Figures published yesterday reveal that over £2million of taxpayers` money was handed over to Prince Charles in the last year - an increase of some 12% over the previous year.  In the same year, his personal income, principally from the Duchy of Cornwall estates and those infernal Duchy Original biscuits and stuff, rose to £20.8million, again up on the year before.

So, in these times of financial stringency, belt-tightening, barrel-scraping and all being in it together, here`s a  suggestion that might help relieve us taxpayers of the £2million we keep shelling out.   It`s clear from the figures that HRH is doing very nicely thank you with his Duchy business turning in a useful net profit, so stop giving him any more of our cash and let him rely, like the rest of us, on his own personal income.

If he doesn`t agree then we should just stop buying the Duchy Original stuff which is overpriced and not awfully wonderful anyway.