Mediation Services would like to see departments such as Brighton and Hove City Council environmental health referring a noise complaint much sooner in the process.

It was evident from Tim Nichols' letter (Opinion, April 28) that mediation didn't get a mention until the end.

For it to have some likelihood of success, a mediation service needs to be introduced as an option at the beginning of a complaint.

There are now six mediation services in East and West Sussex - Brighton and Hove, Mid Sussex (Haywards Heath), Hailsham, Eastbourne, Hastings and Adur (Shoreham).

In neighbour disputes, there is always at least one party who is going to the doctor for stress-related illnesses. Neighbour disputes cost local authorities, health authorities, police and housing associations an incalculable amount of money.

-Sue McClelland, acting co-ordinator, Aims, Shoreham