You may think it is unlikely you will see a pitcher on the local market knocking out sick notes in bundles like this :

" Twenty five quid for an official two week sick note is a better price than you'll get anywhere so It would be fair if I offered two for £40. But I don't want to stop at fair, I want to spoil you so for two sick note I'm not going to ask forty pounds, not even thirty five or thirty. I will sell you two sick notes for twenty five pounds. Two notes, four weeks on sick, twenty five pounds anyone? You sir, there you go. Are you happy with your bargain? Coz I'm not. I don't believin in robbing people so I'm going to throw in a pre-stamped prescription, just fill in your own drug of choice.

Well not yet maybe. Sick notes and prescriptions have been on sale in any downmarket pub for years of course but the trade was rather more discreet.

Now however we learn the NHS fraud squad is investigating a website that sells fake doctors’ sick notes for £25 each. The documents are almost identical to a genuine letter from a GP or hospital, and are printed with real Doctors’ names a feature notes that are stamped and signed. The site, doctorsnotestore.com says it can deliver the fake certificates within 48 hours. A spokesman for the NHS fraud squad said selling sick notes is not illegal, but using them to receive payment is.

Some people think the web is at the cutting edge of every social development but those of us who have a life away from our computers know where the wasters lead the webbies follow at a safe distance.