Letter: Life in Turkey

Sir: Although I may be 20 years older than Sarah Cook, I can certainly empathise with her.

It is not unusual in Turkey for young women to be married in this way. The impression given is that she is living in terrible conditions but this is normal in small towns and villages. There is no welfare state, people live on what they have, with the extended family usually living in the same house, or sharing rooms.

I, too, was married in a Turkish village last October. There was no running water, no "English loo". Everything was extremely basic, but everyone was contented and didn't sit around waiting to win the lottery. They got on with their lives, spending time with their friends and family.

I hope Sarah has the sense to stay in Turkey. I hate to think of the consequences if she is made to return to Britain.

Yours sincerely,

Helen Beklevic

Bristol

29 January