It's a bit rich of G Roberts to claim there are no acceptable play facilities for children in Brighton and Hove.

It obviously is not true and, having raised two children here myself, I think the play equipment in the city's main parks is better than in many towns.

The new play area near the West Pier is simply fantastic. In addition, there are the attractions of the beach and surrounding countryside plus excellent museums offering a wide range of projects for children and young people in each school holiday which - combined with the programmes from Brighton and Hove City Council's play and youth service and sports development team - provide just about every type of activity you can think of.

In addition, there are many other locally based activities organised for youngsters by voluntary and community organisations.

Ms Roberts will take heart from the fact that the play equipment for the free children's playground on the Kemp Town seafront is on order, a shortlisted leisure development for Black Rock could see an ice rink there and the council is working with young people in their localities as part of an ongoing citywide skatepark project.

Attention is now focused on the seafront east of the Palace Pier, where councillors are favouring a range of family-focused leisure activities that are not commercially based.

-Coun Gill Mitchell, Brighton and Hove City Council