AS AN old Brightonian, born in Brighton General Hospital in July 1940, it was a pleasure to read Daniel Green's excellent feature on April 2, on the 25 year old unification of the former towns of Brighton and Hove into one large city of international renown.   

The oldest names for Brighton are Bristelmestune in 1086, Brichtelmeston in 1198, Brighthelmeston in1493, Brighthemston in 1610 and Brighthelmston in 1816.

Brighton came into common use in the early 19th century.   

Old spellings of Hove include Hou, from the Domesday Book 1086, la Houue in 1288, Huua in the 13th century, Houve in the13th and 14th centuries, Huve in the 14th and 15th centuries, Hova in the 16th century and Hoova in 1675. 

As Brighton and Hove's executive director was involved in drafting the new constitution and  the new authority, I would like to suggest to Mr Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis and the council a new name for the new city could be the city of Brighthoven.

Christopher Fox-Walker 

Meads Road 

Eastbourne