YOU reported that Hartlepool Borough Council lost £720,000 hosting the Tall Ships Races visit and that the greatest shortfall in anticipated income was in parking (Echo, Sept 28).

This comes as no surprise to the considerable number of us who arrived at Seaton Carew park-and-walk during the afternoon of August 10 to witness the ships’ departure.

We were all turned away by the stewards who said that the council had ordered that no further vehicles be allowed entry. We could see empty spaces from the gateway and, when walking past the car park a short while later, we could see that it was no more than two-thirds full, plenty of room for many of us to park, each contributing £10 to the council’s coffers rather than to the enterprising local businesses nearby which made parking available to us on their land.

I suggest Hartlepool councillors find out who made that decision and ensure that he/she is immediately removed from the council payroll, thus making a small dent in the £720,000 and reducing the risk of repeating such a stupid decision.

Derek Thornton, Stanley Crook, Co Durham.