I am so upset at the greed of travel companies. We are hardworking, tax-paying parents of two children who would love to be able to take them on holiday, but can't afford to for the simple reason that travel companies know it is illegal to take our kids out of school during term so they put the prices up so much there is no way we could afford to pay for it.

All good parents know that in order to go on holiday for just one week during school break will literally cost you your whole year's savings.

Surely these travel companies know they could make more money if they kept the prices down with more people being able to afford the tickets than putting prices up and no-one being able to afford to go, except the extremely well-off people.

These greedy companies need to be pulled down a peg or two.

Mrs M Beddoe, Beckenham

Mrs Beddoe claims travel companies are greedy becasue they charge a lot more in the summer holidays, meaning that parents with children cannot always afford to go. Part of her information is true - it is a lot more expensive to travel in the holidays and so parents have no choice. But she should check her information before she blames the travel companies.

I work for a travel company and am just as annoyed that we cannot sell cheaper holidays at this time. It is actually the airlines and the hotel owners who put the prices up during peak summer season. If they are charging the travel companies more, then we can hardly continue to sell at winter prices. We have to pass this charge to customers.

People should be aware though that we still get a discount from the airlines and hotels for selling this product, and so the customer still gets it cheaoer than if they went direct to airlines/hotels. Us travel agents are not greedy, you would be amazed at the tiny sum of money we make from selling each product.

So before us poor travel agents are blamed, it is not us putting the prices up! Please check your facts before you accuse.

Andrew Goodyear, Greenwich

What do you think? Are holiday firms right to charge a premium for travelling during school holidays? Are schools right to ban children from being taken away during term time? Click here to have your say