Terry Hickman thinks I am missing out watching my black-and-white TV (letters, January 12), however, as an artist, there is no shortage of colour in my life.

Research shows that people who watch less than 30 mins of TV a day are more satisfied with their lives than those who watch more, as it can give a warped perception of the real world.

I prefer to read the Echo, watch comedy and drama at the theatre, see films at the cinema, do pub quizzes rather than watch Pointless game shows, spot birds and squirrels in my back garden rather than wildlife elsewhere on the planet, cook meals rather than watch Bake Off, keep fit playing badminton than see celebrities prancing around a dance floor and listen to BBC Radio Solent football commentaries rather than hear grossly overpaid presenters pontificating on Match of the Day.

I do sometimes watch a colour TV with my elderly mother as I care for her and keep her company.

No doubt when I am old, a colour TV will be my portal to the outside world, but until then I will watch my vintage curved Videosphere and shun a massive flat screen.

Watching in monochrome often makes little difference unless it’s snooker!

To suggest other black-and-white licence holders are visually impaired in some way is a dubious assumption.

Many may have just kept an old black-and-white TV going, refusing to upgrade to the latest poor quality, hi-tech gadget.

Meanwhile, visually impaired locals can always listen to editions of the Talking Echo, read by volunteers, myself included.

I wonder what they think of TV whether colour or black and white? Or perhaps, like me, they prefer the good old fashioned radio.

Cara Sandys

Southampton