I don't know if his BBC employers were bullying Laurie Mayer.

I do know that his "spin" on the outside broadcast on Brighton beach on the eve of last June's World Cup quarter-final between England and Brazil is an unnecessary slur on a local bona fide samba band.

The "group of senior citizens who perform on percussion instruments for therapy" are in fact Silver Sounds.

Silver Sounds are a samba band who receive regular bookings for carnivals, street festivals etc, performing locally and as far afield as Blackpool, Chichester, Portsmouth and, yes, even Italy.

They play authentic samba rhythms on Brazilian instruments.

It was not Mr Mayer's fault that the location for filming changed at the last minute or that the sound recordist asked Silver Sounds to play in 30-second snatches. But it was his fault that he asked the band to play quietly.

Samba is a loud vibrant music played on percussion instruments.

The majority of the members of Silver Sounds are pensioners but they are also musicians who have brought joy to many thousands of people.

I wish Mr Mayer well but ask him to reflect on the need to apologise to Silver Sounds.

-Paul Martin, Silver Sounds, Springfield Road, Brighton