Hove is being swamped by Brighton's philistine outlook. Shortly after a recent letter about the replacement of paving stones in our street, I spoke with Brighton and Hove Council workmen who were spreading more hideous black tarmac. I was told not only would the old stones be dumped but the council use this black tarmac because it was £40 a ton while coloured varieties were £100 a ton.

If we are to have tarmac, can we also have small tiles similar to the ones used in George Street? Then at least there will be something more cheering than this grim colour. We owe our borough's uncertain future at least some echo of its elegant past. Think of the outcry if all the houses were painted black.

-Max Chambers, Westbourne Gardens, Hove