I VISIT Lyme Regis regularly and always drop in to the tourist office to pick up literature and get local news from the very helpful staff.

On my visit at new year, I was surprised and shocked to learn that the vital service provided by the tourist office may be terminated later this year.

It seems that west Dorset does not want to cover the cost of running the office and Lyme Regis Town Council wants the space.

The survey I completed offered impossible options without any opportunity to tick a box saying keep it open.

This could be such a loss to the town as tourism will suffer as well as local businesses.

Having spent my working life in travel I know how important it is to provide accurate information to visitors in a face to face situation.

I hope the authorities will realise what a huge mistake they are making.

Doug Goodman

Twickenham