Before English Heritage and lottery money is approved this month for the restoration of the West Pier, I would ask that the following facts be considered.

When the pier was sold for £1, it included full maintenance but, after, when the West Pier Trust took over (in 1975, I think) this was not mentioned.

Since then, it seems colossal amounts have been collected and donated but, apart from the name illumination (the electrics of which may have caused the fire), little has been spent on the structure.

Experience has proved that when such projects are approved they end up being many times over the budget originally quoted, as the Millennium Dome has shown.

The costs of maintenance are also horrendous.

In Brighton Pier we have the world's finest pier, which is private and makes money for the city.

The grant money should be allocated to more deserving causes.

-Reg Moores, Brighton