Diane Millman, of Avonwick, South Brent, writes:

I read the headlines concerning the Dartmouth regatta in last week's paper with dismay.

Having been in Dartmouth for the whole of regatta week, I have nothing but praise for the organisers, the businesses, the harbour staff and the general camaraderie amongst the public.

For a town the size of Dartmouth to put on one of the best shows in the Westcountry and cope with the huge crowds, it attracts is nothing short of remarkable.

I was taking part in some of the sailing at the regatta with my husband.

On each evening we moored up on the town jetty and went ashore either to eat or to enjoy the live music in Royal Avenue Gardens or one of the many bars in the town.

The people we came into contact with were of all ages and were all thoroughly enjoying themselves as were we. We saw no violence – not even anything approaching it.

I am sure there were incidents as reported in your paper, and, of course, when a small town temporarily increases its population to the extent that Dartmouth does every year and alcohol flows fairly freely, it is bound to happen.

However, if the incidents were shown as a percentage point per head of the, largely temporary, population, I would guess it would barely raise an eyebrow.

I know that 'no news is good news' and your business is to sell papers but equally you must have heard the saying 'accentuate the positive'. I think there were many more positives than negatives in Dartmouth during the regatta.

Well done Dartmouth,we can't wait until next year!