The Level is a precious green lung in one of the most crowded urban areas in the South of England.

But it is in such a shabby state many people, including pensioners, parents and children, are refusing to go there.

Drug takers and drunks tend to gather on benches, while parts of the park, including the playground, are in desperate need of renovation.

Brighton and Hove City Council recognises the problem and has held meetings with the police to discuss a plan of action.

It should be possible to move on the drunks and have more visible policing of this city centre park.

But the council is short of cash and needs help from the community to ensure the Level is brought back to its best condition.

Other open spaces, such as Hove Lagoon, Stoneham Park and Preston Park, have benefited from local groups of people prepared to work hard for improvements.

At a park off Falmer Road in Rottingdean, local parents even provided the cash for new children's toilets.

It should be possible for neighbours of the Level, including local businesses, to help in the transformation there.

Parks are for the people but, in these straitened times, the people need to help out.