Well done, Cathy Back and her fellow residents, for try-ing to reclaim Providence Place playground in Brighton (The Argus, July 4).

I was part of a committed group that battled hard to redevelop Stoneham Park in Hove and I totally empathise with the problems Mrs Back and her group are facing. In every community there are a dedicated minority who, if supported by others, can achieve minor miracles. Please, if you live near this park, get involved, write letters, help fund-raise and develop activities for your young people.

In Stoneham Park, an amazing transformation has taken place and continues through the support of local councillors, Hove YMCA and local parents who run a "parksafe project".

Issues about lack of services for drug users and excluded young people are complex but Brighton and Hove City Council and the police can do nothing without positive support from local residents. I will be watching developments closely.

-Don Brown, Labour Action Group Westbourne, Isabel Crescent, Hove