May I nominate Brighton and Hove City Council for a brickbat and the Brighton Green Party for a bouquet?

The former for granting a licence to a travelling circus under the euphemism Animal Planet Roadshow which ensconced itself upon Hove Lawns on Saturday and Sunday, contrary to the council's general policy of not allowing peripatetic animal menageries on its property.

Well done to the Green Party for handing out its leaflet opposing the event and for having a physical presence at the entrance to the roadshow.

According to the leaflet, "initial plans (apparently cancelled due to protest) were to allow people to handle and touch wild creatures such as snakes and lizards.

"You don't need to see animals in captivity to learn about them.

"In fact, you learn more about their behaviour when you watch them in their natural surroundings."

I was proud of the fact the council had genuinely taken on board the sentiment of the above belief and had produced its own Animal Welfare Charter but I now question its commitment to this charter.

-David Hammond, North Court, Hassocks