SIR — I was very interested to read your article 'Bid for Blue Anchor coast funding crumbles' (Free Press, March 21).

My late husband, Paul Ophaus, was the owner of the Blue Anchor Hotel during the 1870s and, in accordance with the least with brewers Bass, sent a four-figure sum each year on the sea defences. Boulders in wire cages were deposited on the beach below the hotel.

I can only assume that subsequent owners, after Barry Richards who bought the hotel from my husband, did not or could not afford the cost of the defences.

The inevitable has happened and now the B3191 road, on which the Blue Anchor Hotel stands, is in peril of having to be closed.

I do hope the West Somerset Council's appeal will be recognised for help with the funding to secure this area for the local people and tourists as an alternative route to Watchet from Minehead and so avoid the A39 which gets very congested during the summer months.

Trish Ophaus,

Camberley,

Surrey.