Lesley-Anne Brennan and her daughter Kerry showed true compassion by giving money to a Big Issue seller who wandered into their church to light a candle in the chapel during a service.

But other members of the congregation despised their act and said it was policy at St Nicholas Church in Dyke Road, Brighton, not to give money to him.

This church, more than any other, has experience of people with problems as it is right in the middle of Brighton and has extensive grounds where many congregate.

However, there is a difference between beggars, who are taking money for themselves and often spend it on drink and drugs, and Big Issue sellers.

They have been authorised by the Big Issue to sell the paper and get both help and support from that source.

If people in the congregation and clerics know this man has a problem with drink and drugs, they should tell the Big Issue but this does not appear to be the case.

The attitude of some members of the congregation at this fine old church seems to be less than Christian. They should remember the Good Samaritan who stopped to help someone in trouble instead of walking past on the other side.