It's not generally known, because the NTL cable company doesn't publicise it, that an excellent French-language TV channel, TV5, is available to cable subscribers in Sussex.

It costs only £1 a month and has programmes from France, Belgium and Switzerland.

Some are subtitled, some not. It's an excellent way to improve one's French.

This other "cross-channel service" deserves success. But it may be a case of use it or lose it.

-Glenda Clarke, Brighton