The international chain, with a shop in Lynn High Street, began considering on Friday whether it should lead the way by closing its doors to conserve energy.

Unfortunately, as my deadline approached, staff at the London headquarters had still not made a decision, but had also not called back to rule the action out.

I put it to them that if anyone should set an example it should be The Body Shop because of its "protect our planet" ideals.

In a separate section on its website it declares its aims to protect the environment by striving to minimise waste and by using renewable energy with a commitment to being carbon neutral by 2010.

All of that makes me hopeful that The Body Shop will be the first in Lynn to close its shop doors when it's cold enough to need the heating on.

It's interesting to note from survey results printed in the Lynn News (December 18) that many of the cost-conscious independents trade with doors closed. Full marks to them.

Sadly too many of the bigger shops waste energy and contribute more than they need to global warming by having the heating on full and their doors to the street wide open.

Crazily, last week, when the outdoors temperature dipped to -2C, none of these shut that door.

My campaign has been gathering support with one reader suggesting I borrow a thermal imaging camera to photograph open doors shop fronts with.

Merry Christmas.