My family recently took advantage of the advertised "Early Bird" offer at the Black Lion on London Road, Brighton.

I phoned to reserve a table and was told the discount was one-third off meals.

We arrived (as requested, before 6.30) and ordered a Combine Harvester for my husband and I and meals for the children, one of which was off the adult menu.

Imagine our surprise and disappointment when we discovered the exclusions to the discounts policy: No discounts on children's meals, no discount on the Combine Harvester, hence only a one-third discount on one meal out of five.

I hope this letter serves to warn readers of the Black Lion's misleading advertising.

On a totally different score, I took my long-haired cat to Wilbury Veterinary Clinic to have some matted fur cut off under sedation. I was charged a whopping £76 for a procedure that must have taken half an hour at most.

What are people who do not receive benefits but can't afford to spend £76 supposed to do?

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