I think your correspondent who complained about the picture of David Panter, chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, with a bunch of bananas on his head may have missed the point.

As chairman of the St James's Action Group, I asked David if he would take part in our Winter Lantern Parade dressed as a fruit.

I was bowled over by his willingness to enter into the spirit of things.

The parade which David will join will be the culmination of a series of healthy eating workshops aimed at the poorer and socially-excluded members of St James's.

One of the city's and the Government's health priorities is to encourage people to lead healthier lives by eating more fresh fruit and veg.

Our workshops and parade - with people dressed as fruit and veg - will show this serious aim can be achieved in a fun way.

Since Dr Richard Russell, a major part of the city's economy has been based around leisure, pleasure and fun.

What better way of promoting that image than for the CEO of the city council to show his support for a serious project pursued in a fun way?

-Dr Alan Bond, Brighton