Arthur North suggested an eco-friendly rebuild of the West Pier that would be known as the "Peace Pier".

I have thought a lot about this as I feel that, whatever structure the pier takes, to identify it with "Peace" would certainly distinguish it from the Palace pier.

However, naming would be an empty gesture unless it was accompanied by some positive peace message, such as providing a platform for the various ethnic groups in our city to show their distinctive cultures.

Their artistic products might be in show-cases, perhaps, and a larger arena provided for music and drama, talks and discussions.

This way we could learn and understand so much more about the others in our midst than the little we gather from the occasional circus or musical performance or as customers in their restaurants and shops.

If in this way we could increase understanding and tolerance, even if only a little, our Peace Pier could be a microcosm of the world.

Idealistic? Perhaps. But I believe with determination and a touch of luck, ideals can sometimes be realised.

-CC Fraser, Brighton