During the Fifties, I lived for several years at Southover on Staveley Road, Eastbourne, with my parents.

They owned Cornfields Fruiterers in Cornfield Terrace and The Fruit Basket in Seaside Road.

The weekend before last, I stayed in Eastbourne for the first time since and can only describe my impressions of the town now as appalling.

It suffered, like many other British seaside resorts, from fewer holidaymakers because of changing fashions but that is no excuse for the lack of cleanliness and dreadful planning blunders.

The town looks downright seedy. Terminus Road consists mainly of charity shops and warehouse outlets with virtually nothing to induce people to shop locally.

The pier is unbelievably tacky and dirty. We spoke to several local people who, without exception, said whenever possible they shop elsewhere. What a terrible indictment of the town.

Grand Court is a blot on the landscape. No attempt has been made to blend in with the lovely Victorian and Edwardian buildings on the front, which helped give Eastbourne something extra. The TGU building nearby is little better.

It will be a long time before I visit again, which is a great shame since my husband and I had even discussed the possibility of retiring there.

-Jill Temple-Cole, Huntingdon, Cambs