WANTED. Part-time clerical position with a Warrington charity. Skilled, enthusiastic and energetic person willing to work for free.

Trained secretary Diane Taylor, aged 48, of Hatton Lane, Stretton, has offered to work on a part-time basis for nothing - but no-one has been willing to take her on.

Despite senior secretaries costing around £8 per hour, only the RSPCA could take her on - but as all clerical positions were filled she would only be able to walk dogs for them.

"I've given to charity all my life, and now that I have some free time I thought that offering my secretarial skills would be the best way of helping out," said Diane.

"When I've approached organisations, they've said they'd get back to me but never do. I'm really frustrated as I only want to help," she said.

Spokesman for the National Association of Volunteer Bureaux, Andy Forster explained why Diane faced problems finding work. He said: "In general terms volunteering is not best suited to clerical work.

"Also, if someone has been previously employed in that field, and they are working next to someone who is being paid for that work, it could be classed as job substitution," he said.

But Diane added: "It's ridiculous, I don't want to take anybody's job from them. I've even offered to put that in writing when I apply, but still no luck," she said.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.