A Brighton guidebook of 1900 reads: "There is nothing down-at-heel or squalid about Brighton. There is no lodging-house air or very economical look about her. She looks rich and prosperous and well-to-do. She is not proud, or stuck-up, or exclusive.

"Everybody is welcome, so long as good behaviour is the rule. Brighton does not allow her streets to be soiled with dirty bits of paper, sandwich coverings or discarded bottles. Excursionists may come if they like and are welcome, but they must take their nastiness away with them and are not allowed to leave their litter on the floor."

It would be great if we could still truthfully say this of Brighton in the year 2000.

-Maurice Martin, Sunnydale Avenue, Patcham