My wife and I were shocked to read of the proposed closure of the Beachy Head Countryside Centre.

Surely a wealthy town like Eastbourne can afford the relatively small cost of £15,000 to keep the centre open. Have other possible sources of income - such as help from the National Lottery Heritage Fund - been properly explored?

A seaside town such as Eastbourne, whose economy is heavily dependent on the tourist industry, should be looking for additional ways of attracting visitors, rather than closing down existing venues which provide a valuable service to both tourists and local people.

In our view, it would be an act of municipal vandalism to close the Beachy Head Countryside Centre and we sincerely hope the council will reconsider this matter and come up with a solution which will allow the centre to continue its valuable work.

-Ian Leach, Chatsworth Avenue, Telscombe Cliffs