As Brighton and Hove can fairly claim to be the vegetarian capital of the South, it is amazing so many of the latest trendy coffee-bars to open in the city seem reluctant to offer customers soya-milk in their coffee.

The assistant who can recite a seemingly endless variety of coffees on offer is instantly struck dumb by a request for soya-milk and has to consult a higher being before admitting their coffee-bar can offer only dairy milk or cream.

Many people avoid dairy milk because of an allergy or animal-welfare considerations.

Coffee-bar owners who have recognised this trend find soya-milk makes a superb cappuccino - the others should try it.

-Peter Allen, Chute Avenue, High Salvington, Worthing