For a saving of just £2,000, Hastings Borough Council had decided to cancel plans for the annual brass band season despite the concerts regularly attracting upwards of 200 people.

Details of the saving was hidden deep inside the local authority's annual budget book and could not been found in any public council agendas.

Even the two local councillors for that area, Cllr Godfrey Daniel and his colleague Cllr Dominic Sabetian, were not informed.

In fact, Cllr Daniel only found out after reading a letter sent in to The Observer. Reacting angrily at the time, the outspoken councillor slammed the decision, saying: "I think it's absolutely disgraceful that this penny-pinching council has deprived so many people of the simple enjoyment of listening to band concerts from the restored bandstand in Alexandra Park.

"Bands, such as the wonderful Sussex Brass, enhance the quality of life - especially in these difficult times and, without support, their very existence may be threatened. It will be a sadder summer without these wonderful concerts."

The council's initial response was to confirm the decision, with a spokesman saying: "Unfortunately, we are facing tough times and we have been affected by a downturn in the economy and as such we have had to find savings.

"While we recognise they are very popular attraction, it's just something we can't afford in this current climate."

However, after coming under increasing pressure from Cllr Daniel and The Observer, the council backed down and agreed to fund at least four brass band concerts this summer.

The Observer criticised the council's decision, especially with regard to the fact more than £4million was spent doing up Alexandra Park as recently as 2003, yet council bosses could not find £2,000 to fund one of its most popular attractions.

Thankfully, the authority has now earmarked £1,000 to pay for seating, stewards and the bands themselves.

And, despite this meaning the number of concerts will be halved, Cllr Daniel was pleased the council had at least done something.

He said: "I am pleased there will be some brass band concerts after all but it really shouldn't have come to this.

"If money is that tight then they should have been looking to attract outside sponsorship of the events, or even start passing collection buckets round at the concerts.

"These are very popular, and an integral part of our summer time. To lose them completely would have been a disaster."

The decision to cut the brass band sessions came in the same week The Observer revealed the council had splashed out more than £30,000 on consultation for the ill-fated communal bin scheme.

Do you think the council should be funding more than four concerts? Leave your comments below.