So Brighton (and let's not forget Hove, shall we?) is a city now. Hurrah!

I can see no end to the benefits - after all, Brighton and Hove Council pre-empted a successful bid by introducing a chaotic traffic management system to make us feel more at home in our "city".

I wonder what other joys there are to look forward to?

Can we now expect an increase in crime and homelessness and a greater sense of anonymity towards each other, as can be found in illustrious conurbations such as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds? Splendid work!

Or will it not actually make a blind bit of difference at all?

The usual hollow PR babble says it will bring new business opportunities to Brighton (and Hove) but I cannot believe for a moment anyone will locate here who wouldn't have done so anyway simply because we are now a city.

And where will we put all these new businesses when we can't find any space for a replacement football stadium, let alone (proposed) new housing?

I sympathise with everyone living in Hove (or is that West Brighton?). It's farcical.

What next? A bid from West Sussex for the city of Lancing, Worthing and Littlehampton? I despair, I really do.

-Jenifer Morgan, Eastern Terrace Mews, Brighton