he media is full of Government advertisements for “healthier kids”, the latest being a campaign where you call a hotline and receive a free “change for life” plan.

This pack contains a chart for the family in the hope that children can be helped to lead a healthier lifestyle, including exercise suggestions such as football and frisbee.

We are at the start of a long and expensive half-term. Those 14 days have to be meticulously planned financially.

With two girls of nine and 15 to entertain, it seemed to me the perfect compromise to take the girls for a quick game of tennis at our local Hollingbury courts.

No sooner had we got there, rackets, balls and water bottles in hand, we were “pounced” on by a council employee (presumably) asking us for a fee.

This really agitates me. There are eight courts at this park and only one in use.

As we walked away, two other children arrived at the courts only to turn around and leave because they hadn’t any money.

If we had been abroad, Spain for example, we’d have been encouraged to play the game for free.

And we wonder why us Brits have only one tennis champion – Andy Murray.

Does anyone share my view?

Emma Parmenter
Crabtree Avenue, Brighton