I hope the people of Saltdean will be able to welcome asylum seekers to their town.

I live in a part of Brighton and Hove that has benefited hugely from the contribution of refugees.

Hundreds of people who have escaped war and oppression in Iran, Sudan, the Middle East and the Balkans work in and run local businesses.

The mix of cultures has made the area more interesting and means more sober and friendly people are on the streets at night.

The area has plenty of problems but without the contribution of the refugee communities all we would be left with would be those very English diseases of poverty, alcoholism, street violence and drugs.

Councillor Lynda Hyde and her colleagues should take a walk down Western Road from Churchill Square into Hove.

She could talk to business owners, attend the mosque at Bedford Place and visit the synagogues in Hove. After that, she could visit the Coptic church near Seven Dials.

After hearing the refugees' stories, I would hope Coun Hyde might organise a welcome party for the asylum seekers rather than a lynch mob.

-Andy Player, Western Street, Brighton