Today's The Argus front page headline, "So ugly but it's staying", and accompanying picture (March 22) of Anston House had me reaching for my spectacles in double-quick time.

For years I drove past this ugliest of buildings but only came to realise just what a state it was in one day in early February 2004, when a traffic hold-up forced me to stop opposite its shattered edifice.

Next time I passed that way I stopped to take a picture to send in with the letter I had written to The Argus (February 16, 2004).

Anston House's sad decline soon caught the imagination of Brighton College art students, who covered its many broken windows with self-portraits.

I had wondered if this was Sussex's ugliest building and the majority of voters had no hesitation in awarding the title "Ugliest Of Them All" when The Argus invited readers to vote.

It would seem run-down buildings hold a fascination for me - perhaps it is the desire to see them restored to their former glory.

When The Argus invited readers to nominate their choice of most unsightly building back in 1997 I had no hesitation in putting forward a former factory in Brighton which had fallen into a state of disrepair reminiscent of a battle zone. Its stark appearance seemed to make it a great location for a horror film set, such was its stark eeriness.

This particular ugly duckling of a building did, however, return to its former glory in 2002 after a lengthy restoration.

I cannot help wondering if other potentially ugliest buildings are out there right now, just waiting to be discovered?

-Michael Parker, Brighton