GARDEN: Why not get a bank loan?

It must have been obvious to both the Duchess of Northumberland and Northumberland County Council that a loan by the council to the Alnwick Garden charity would be politically contentious at a time when council finances are under great pressure.

Surely this could easily be avoided if the charity simply obtained a loan on commercial terms from either a bank or Northumberland Estates?

Shaun Whyte,

Foxton Road,

Alnmouth