The Daily Telegraph has today published its 50,000th edition.  It celebrates by looking back at its readers' letters to the editor. 

The letters pages are a joy to behold.  Whether The Daily Telegraph, Country Life, or the Kentish Gazette they provide a fascinating insight into the minds of public.  

And they do it in a way that online comments at the end of an article cannot.  

They are often witty, insightful and always spot on. 

They are also often overlooked by the PR people, particularly in professional services.  They offer a great opportunity to extend a debate once it has moved off the news pages allowing the contributor to control entirely what is said. 

But remember, letters to the editor - whether for a national, local or trade publication - must be opinionated and engaging.  Otherwise they won't make the cut, or will just be ignored.