I HAVE just learned that Lancaster City Council proposes to withdraw funding from the Maritime Festival in 2006. Surely this is a short-sighted idea when the festival must bring a considerable sum of money into the city.

My wife and I are supporters of the festival and actually come to Lancaster to stay for two weeks around it.

If we were to total the amount we spend on travel, entertainment, food, souvenirs and somewhere to stay it would come to a fair amount - and there must be many more people like us .

The council's own Maritime Museum surely would be hardest hit as there is always a good crowd there over the Easter weekend.

We have always enjoyed our times at Lancaster, where everyone has been so friendly and courteous to us and the country walks are wonderful. Please can someone try to persuade the council to reconsider its decision.

Mr C R Frankling, Sussex.