A point on the subject of democracy for Mr/Ms Beck (Letters, August 20) who questions the validity of the massive Falmer Stadium "Yes" referendum result on the grounds that "62 per cent of the electorate didn't bother to vote".

The average turnout in local elections is some 32 per cent and the Falmer result was gleaned from a referendum turnout of 38 per cent - which means, in democratic terms, the stadium at Falmer will have more electoral validity than any other local planning measure in recent political history, anywhere in the country.

-John Baine, Southwick