Twenty years ago the Victoria Gardens and Steine were admired for their blooms.

Thousands of tulips from Holland were carefully nurtured by the Parks and Gardens Department and watered by a sprinkler system from the underground Wellsbourne stream.

It really was "Brighton in Bloom" but times have changed and hanging baskets now have that title.

Meanwhile, the grassed area where tulips once flowered has become a public wilderness scarred by a muddy shortcut path, used as a playground and for exercising dogs.

A balloon in the centre would fit perfectly into the present scenario - and maybe a few fairground and market stalls would enhance the balloon.

-Ken Chambers, Brighton