Last year Brighton and Hove City Council spent thousands in North Portslade installing “no parking on grass verge” signs, in spite of residents saying beforehand it would be a complete waste of money, arguing the money would be better spent converting verges into hard standings.

The council knew best and wouldn’t hear of it. It argued verges are cosmetic features that enhance the beauty of our estates, adding that once signs were in place verges would soon resemble bowling greens that could not be mistaken for allotments.

For anyone interested, the grow-your-own “paddy field” in Valley Road is open for business as usual.

Dave Bonwick, Graham Crescent, Portslade