I was saddened to read that consideration was being given to disposing of the cherished number plate on Brighton and Hove's Mayoral car (The Argus, August 29).

Don't those who propose this matter have any pride in the past history of our city?

To give you a little background of my interest in this matter, my father, George Bernard Baldwin, was Mayor of Brighton in 1961. (Incidentally, my father-in-law, Alderman Johnson, was Mayor the previous year).

It was during my father's mayoralty that the town bought the original Rolls Royce.

At that time, cherished numbers were of interest but not considered valuable.

My father had made enquiries as to whether CD 1 was available for a new car he was about to purchase.

He was told it was but decided that the town's new Rolls should have the number rather than his VW Beetle, so that his car had the number CD 15, a number still on my daughter's car.

I am sure you will recall that, at the time of the wedding of Charles and Diana, a motion was put forward that they should be given the number as a present from the town of Brighton.

At that time, I wrote to the Town Clerk of Brighton, Reg Morgan, raising my objections, and was delighted when this proposal was turned down by the council.

This new proposal is not worth consideration. The money being offered would make little if any difference to the finances of the city.

The suggestion put forward that it would reduce the tax bill or pay for more teachers or police officers is ludicrous.

It would not pay for one person in such a post for a year and if this course was followed, there would be an even greater drain on the council funds in future years as a result of selling the number and appointing such an officer.

I am aware the city has many artefacts donated by deceased dwellers which are now stored in the vaults, and will probably never be placed on show.

Consideration could be given for their disposal but this number plate is part of our history and is an advert for the city and its dignitaries wherever it goes.

Should this proposal be accepted, will the Royal Pavilion be the next part of the city heritage to be sold off to reduce the council's tax bill?

-Donald Baldwin, Queensland, Australia