I WAS interested in the article Diane's Way to Save Footpaths (Daily Echo, July 5) and I am intrigued to discover how a private footpath can become a public right of way.

The footpath is the one that runs through the grounds of the Jolly Sailor, Bursledon.

My great-grandfather and grandmother held the licence of the pub from 1884 to 1944. During this period it was a private footpath for customers. There was a notice indicating that it was a private footpath.

Mention is made of Bursledon Regatta and the Jolly Sailor being a viewing point. On regatta days when my relatives were the licensees they were required to go to court to obtain an extension to opening hours, an outside bar was provided so that the people could use the facilities and watch the regatta.

I would be interested to know what evidence was provided to support the change of use for this footpath, as I am not aware of any differences that would merit this.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.