JOHNNY CHICK, of The Old Market, Dartmouth, writes:

What you are about to read may possibly turn the townsfolk of Dartmouth upside down but here it is.

Close down the Royal Naval College Britannia and change it into the Devon and Cornwall University.

The Royal Navy as we all once knew it is now finished. It is no more than a small flotilla with so few ships that there wasn't even enough vessels for a royal celebration pass-by for the Queen. So we have to move on...

I am not saying forget it because it has been a huge part of our history.

It would solve the Dartmouth car parking problem overnight... sorry you traffic wardens but there is a life out there!

It would bring a huge number of jobs to the town and solve a massive hole in the housing crisis. Sailing and watercrafts, boatbuilding skills navigation etc could also be taught.

Young people, dare I say it, would bring new life to the place. We may have to adjust the Avenue Gardens 'T' dancing etc and introduce places to eat for under £1 a head, but Dartmouth would become a more sustainable place to live.

The Guildhall, the mayor's chambers and council chambers could finally be put to some use. I would suggest a drive thru McDonald's and Kebab Farm or suchlike. Dartmouth might even find a new council made up of young extremists who actually talk with each other as an alternative to old ones!

All those in a position to get invited to go on board any visiting Royal Navy ships could still have the benefit of a gallon of Plymouth and tonic and pour themselves into the courtesy boats, all on the house, so don't panic as that wouldn't change – phew!

The Queen met the Duke at the college in 1951 and she could still come down here and visit... it's okay with me.

Okay that's it get your old navy ties and model ships out of the drawer and get your college hats on.