Twenty-six years ago, East Sussex County Council took on board the role of tourism promoters and, at that time, embraced the opportunities to promote sites such as Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum.

Now it offers Mrs Askew an option to buy back what was once her own property, which she donated for the benefit of the residents of East Sussex and the wider community.

Councillors say that with a loss of more than £100,000 a year, they must protect the taxpayers.

This only proves that for 26 years the councillors have not allowed the management to operate in the competitive, free-thinking tourist market.

Bentley could now be a financial success, supporting core council services.

The questions to ask are whether the Askews really donated something for the public good?

Or did the council not capitalise on a tourism opportunity?

The council is asking a 95-year-old to buy the property back against its failure but at the same time it wants to keep the option to capitalise on the sale of paintings.

-E Brewer, Newhaven