We get a raw deal compared to Spain

While we were there, we made observations about differences in the standard of living between the two towns '“ with remarkable results favouring the Spanish town.

n Rates '“ Spain between 100-200 Euros per year with nothing to pay in some rural areas.

n Dustbins '“ emptied daily and large items taken away without charge.

n Vandalism '“ virtually non-existent.

n Crime '“ difficult to tell but the police are in evidence and victims are not treated as crooks.

n Danger '“ it is safe to wander the streets at any time of day or night.

n Cyclists '“ with one exception, they cycled on the roads.

n Promenade '“ long and flat with many watering holes. Paid for by EU '“ that is, us.

n Weekly market '“ with about 1,000 yards of stalls.

n Parking '“ virtually all free, even in the town centre, with unlimited hours.

n Housing '“ plentiful and cheaper than in Bognor. There is also an excellent stock of cheapish rental property.

n Restaurants '“ although for UK visitors costs have increased because of the exchange rate, we were still getting dinner for less than 15 Euros for two people, including drinks.

n Supermarkets '“ about the same although beer could be bought for 7.65 Euros for a case of 24 bottles. There were still very few drunks about.

n Utilities '“ because of the climate, heating, electric and even water were all very much less than in Britain.

n Climate '“ the summer heat, up to 45 degrees, is somewhat high but this is one of the few things that favour Bognor.

I could go on but all in all the Spanish get much more value for their rates than we do and I would ask the two CEOs why our rates are seven to eight times more than in Spain?

Peter Oates,

Canning Road, Bognor Regis