As Brighton and Hove City Council invariably blames central government for constant rises in council tax, it is useful to note that on May 5 residents will have an opportunity to express their opinion on this curious situation in the shape of an X.

My council tax payable in 1996-97 was £449.The amount in the current year is£913 - an increase of 100 per cent.

This comparison dates from the year before Gordon Brown became Chancellor of the Exchequer.As my income during that period, like that of most pensioners, has increased by a rather smaller percentage,I trust we shall not be considered ungrateful if we regard Mr Brown's recent promise ofa one-off payment of£200 towards our ever-increasing council tax as a somewhat inadequate bribe.

-Edward Goring, Ovingdean