I urgently request the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, Ken Bodfish, explains to the Queen that on account of the terrible financial state of the city, no Jubilee celebrations will take place because of the exorbitant costs.

The council tax will rise by almost 11 per cent from the year 2002/3 and that will make the situation deplorable for senior citizens.

However, a welcome would be made for the Queen to visit the city on March 28, 2002, Maundy Thursday, providing she brings ample coins for the poor pensioners.

Having live in Portslade, I well remember that when my town was affiliated with Hove - which was well managed by a Conservative council - the rates were the lowest in East Sussex County Council.

Those were the days - and we didn't have to worry about being a city. I regret the Queen has done this area no favours by giving the population city status.

-Roy V Hilliard, Old Shoreham Road, Brighton