During the recent school holidays my family and I embarked upon our annual day trip to Weston-super-Mare, totally unaware of the shocks in store that awaited us since last year’s visit.

It would appear that without fail Somerset Council adds another £1 annually to the sea front parking charge for the day.

The cost of the rides on the newly rebuilt Grand Pier are nothing short of extortionate, which is well known, and certainly not family friendly.

However, this year we had further salt rubbed into our wounds as there is now a newly levied £1 per head entry charge, although we bit the bullet and went along with it.

However, worse was still was to come when eventually we got to the beach, we could not believe our eyes as the concrete built toilets that have graced the sea front for time immemorial now had queues of parents with youngsters fishing for 20p so as to enter a single segregated doorway complete with turnstiles, after the gentlemen’s entrance had been blocked off.

What has happened to the lovingly cared for, free to use toilets that were kept so sparkling clean, along with sweet music playing and vases of flowers, by a lady that appeared on the BBC Points West programme some while ago?

The only other place that I can recall charges such a price for a call of nature is Paddington railway station, which such places are renowned for.

We could not believe our eyes, and out of family consensus, and above all, principle, we decided to hold it, and with legs firmly crossed, hastened down the road to use the free toilet facilities of a well known nationwide pub and food chain.

Yes we did return later to the establishment and order meals, so no real crime was committed.

Even the famous Carters Steam fair that seems to have an annual pitch on the seafront green, was a pale imitation of its former glory of previous visits, as there was only a small amount of stalls and rides available.

But it would also appear they have cottoned on to ripping off the day trippers, as the cost of around a four- minute ride on the dodgem cars was now £4 a head.

This is, I am sorry to say, not the Weston-super-Mare that I recall from my childhood and could now be likened to being Weston-super-Muggers, as it would appear that Somerset Council is purely interested in milking the poor old impoverished family day tripper.

G A Woodward, Nelson Street, Swindon