I READ with interest the letter from Mr Andy Downie (Letters, June 4), where he complained about the cost of putting in Largs. As the previous licensee for Mackerston Putting Green, I would like to point out to the people of Largs and, indeed, all visitors to the town, that North Ayrshire Leisure in their own Tender Documents for the current lease period 2004-2009 set a maximum charge per round of putting for Mackerston Putting Green of �1.50 for adults and �1.05 for juniors.

In season 2005, the present licensee decided to set the prices well above the maximum permitted charge. I complained to our then MSP, Mr Allan Wilson, who arranged a meeting with Mr Frank Keddilty, Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Leisure Ltd regarding the obvious breach of contract. The meeting took place on April 22 2005, where Mr Keddity said he would pursue the matter stating that it was not unreasonable that the operator is provided with an opportunity to address the wrongs, which seemed a fair solution. On May 25, Mr Keddilty wrote to Mr Wilson informing him 'any breaches that were in place have been rectified.' Since then, the pricing terms of the lease have been breached time and time again. In fact the cost of putting on Mackerston Putting Green in 2007 was �2.10 for adults (40% above the maximum charge), and �1.60 for juniors (52% above the maximum charge). The green is closed early and often lies closed during periods of good weather.

In response to last year"s prices, Kenneth Gibson MSP sought to get clarification on the overpricing issues. Mr Keddilty wrote to Kenneth Gibson on August 7 2007 to point out that in reference to pricing, 'Prices are charged within the terms of the agreement. There is no breach of the agreement by the operator of this facility.' This it would seem is a total contradiction of the North Ayrshire Leisure Ltd Tender Documents issued for the current licence.

You then get a little confused as to why Mr Keddilty went to the trouble of speaking to the current licensee to rectify the 'breaches that were in place' regarding prices in 2005 if, as he says in August 2007, that the 'prices are charged within the terms of the agreement.' Therefore, it begs the question, are the rules made up as the lease goes along? And if so what is the point of having a tender process with a set maximum charge in the first place? It would also seem clear that Mr Keddilty contradicts himself between May 2005 and August 2007.

Many other attempts were made to bring other operational breaches of contract to the attention of Frank Keddilty and North Ayrshire Leisure Ltd, however they have repeatedly ignored all complaints and in a letter dated September 10 2007, Mr Keddilty stated 'I would, therefore advise you that we shall not respond to any further enquiries regarding the operation of this facility.' I wonder why?

As a lifelong resident of Largs, I believe that the people of Largs and visitors to the town are being treated unfairly and it would appear that North Ayrshire Leisure Ltd and, in particular, Mr , Keddilty for whatever reason is happy for that to continue.

If anyone else is unhappy at the apparent overcharging at Mackerston Putting Green, perhaps you should try writing to Mr Keddilty to see if he has the courtesy to reply to you. You may even get a different explanation.

Roderick McGinty, 33 The Roundel, Largs