MADAM - Why is Sidmouth Town Council considering financial assistance for the Sidmouth Herald to enable it to retain a base in the town (report February 6).

MADAM - Why is Sidmouth Town Council considering financial assistance for the Sidmouth Herald to enable it to retain a base in the town (report February 6). The Herald is not a non profit making voluntary organisation requesting help from public funds. It is part of the successful and profitable Archant group, well able to stand on its own feet. If a Sidmouth presence is important to The Herald it should pay the proper rent and business rates for premises, the same as any other commercial company. It should not expect a hand out from council tax payers.

David Saunders

Chilterns

Boughmore Road

Sidmouth

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Herald has not asked for or expected financial help from public funds in its bid to find a base in the town. We have merely sought to find an affordable base to enable us to have a presence in the town.