It's great Brighton and Hove has been named the UK's healthiest city (The Argus, January 4) but not surprising. The lust for life of so many residents is inescapable.

However, such a position should not have been difficult to reach, due to local environmental factors such as our unique position on the South Coast by the downs and the sea.

As a result, our climate, water and air are better than most, if not all, other cities in the UK, leading to people participating in healthy activities.

There are certainly many things which could be done to make our city healthier, starting with sport. A stadium for the Albion, an ice-rink at Black Rock and a decent sports centre on the King Alfred site would help enormously.

The promotion of buses, cycling and walking should continue with greater vigour but this should not be at the expense of motorists.

In fact, getting people out of their cars should make the roads clearer for those who choose to stay in them.

So instead of just being the UK's healthiest city, we should aim at being the UK's healthiest place to live - there is a difference.

Robert Stuart Nemeth
Sussex Heights, Brighton