I fully sympathise with R. Stallard-White, who objects to the escalating incidence of noisy late-night parties in otherwise quiet residential areas (Opinion, August 26) .

Hard on the heels of this anti-social nuisance is the growing popularity of back garden barbecues, particularly prevalent over bank holidays weekends whenever the temperature creeps above 20 degrees celsius.

The barbie itself is generally accompanied by loud music in competition with the yelling and guffawing of the participants, most of whom are there mainly because they want to be seen by all and sundry holding their glass of plonk in one hand and a burnt offering in the other, while sporting their designer sunglasses and beachwear.

There is scant consideration by these revellers for neighbours in adjoining gardens, who might have a line of washing out, which if not hastily removed will end up permeated with the obnoxious odour of charcoal and burnt meat.

There's no escape indoors either, unless one closes every window and door, turning the home into an oven.

I have no wish to be branded a killjoy. Let people have a good time by all means, but not at the expense of other people's right to peace and quiet.

-Geoff Marshall, Bevendean Crescent, Brighton