An overgrown flower bed is a symbol to some residents of the decline of services in Brighton and Hove.

The flower bed at Grand Avenue, near the city council's headquarters, contained the letters B and H but they can now no longer be seen.

Faced with making cuts of several million pounds in services, councillors decided reluctantly that some flower beds would have to go.

But what a pity this had to happen at such a symbolic site when the city is encouraging Brighton and Hove in Bloom.

While firms have been found to finance other flower beds in prominent positions, the council should surely have looked at sponsoring a site outside its own headquarters.

It wouldn't take a lot of time, trouble or expense to plant a few bulbs in the shape of the letters.