Measure in a muddle

CALLS for a return to imperial measurements reminded me of visiting a timber merchant shortly after the metric system was introduced.

I needed wooden battens to build staging for a greenhouse. Trying to be up to date, I asked the assistant for what I supposed was now known as some 50mm x 25mm.

He replied: ‘Do you mean two by one?’

I said I required eight 6 ft lengths to which he responded: ‘Sorry, mate, it only comes in metres these days!’

BRIAN GREGORY, Wheathampstead, Herts.