MY family and I were amongst two other groups we spoke to who objected strongly to the charge of £1 to enter a tent at the Oyster Festival, and subsequently decided, as a matter of principle, that we would give it a miss this year and in every subsequent year that a charge is levied.

We have always visited this festival and enjoy it very much, but we are not going to pay £1 to enter a tent to pay once more at the stalls. This equates to paying to enter one's local supermarket or shopping mall and is just not on.

Admittedly this £1 fee included entrance in a prize draw, but since when is one compelled to pay for a raffle instead of being given a choice?

Mrs E Tucker, St Stephens Road, St Stephens