As chairman of the Brighton and Hove Seafront Traders' Association, I would like to shed some light on the West Pier market traders.

The seafront was last season besieged by more than 300 unlicensed traders. An emergency meeting of the BHSTA with Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove Council on July 13, 1999, decided a policy of zero tolerance would be adopted and relevant trading laws enforced.

The association, unclear about the status of the West Pier market, asked for clarification in February this year. To date, we have had no reply.

I understand more than 30 traders were given 24 hours' notice by the council to cease trading. In fact, the council informed the West Pier Trust they would have to cease trading back in August 1999 and twice since then. These traders have been paying a premium, raising £500 per month, towards the trust, adding to their £15 million lottery grant.

Surely it was the duty of the trust to have informed these people before they bought their summer stock in good faith? The BHSTA membership has to be thankful the police and the council continue to wholly enforce the trading laws.

-D.C. Downer, Brighton and Hove Seafront Traders' Association