We represent organisations that have, in the past five years, taken more than 2,000 children, mainly from the inner city council estates of Brighton and Hove, to the Bentley Wildfowl Park and Vintage Museum near Uckfield.

The park is a unique treasure and it is nothing less than wanton vandalism to even consider closing this place for the sake of cost accounting.

Leaving aside the appalling breach of faith with Mary Askew, the woman who gave this place to the people of East Sussex, it will be impossible ever to recreate such a wonderful place again.

Where else would you find a vintage car museum, a stately home and art gallery, a wonderful collection of rare and wild birds, a model railway, lovely walks as well as a children's play area and picnic space?

The educational and social benefits of Bentley far outweigh the temporary financial gain that might be achieved.

If Bentley is not making money, one good reason is that there is a dearth of publicity concerning the place.

Another reason might be that the admission charges in this day and age (£3.50) are ludicrously low compared to other outdoor attractions in Sussex which don't offer a fraction of what Bentley offers.

We urge those responsible in East Sussex County Council to think again and to send the accountants packing.

They should think of the future generations of children who will lose this place forever. In the words of Oscar Wilde, East Sussex County Council knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

-Sharon Halsall, secretary, Shanti Haft, chairwoman, Brighton and Hove Parents and Children's Group, Tony Greenstein, secretary, Brighton & Hove Unemployed Workers Centre