The musical debate was sparked by a suggestion from Leamington resident Rachel Chesterfield.

In a letter in last week's Courier, Mrs Chesterfield of Leam Terrace hoped that a campaign might be launched to again stage free concerts in the Pump Room Gardens, instead of the Jephson Gardens.

Mrs Chesterfield's suggestion inspired other residents to write, as well as comments from leading members of the band community.

Royal Spa Brass musical director Paul Russell, who has more than 52 years experience working with bands, is all for giving the green space a revamp and holding concerts there once again.

He said: "It's a pity that we do have one of the last few remaining bandstands in the country and we are not using it.

"In many ways, a bandstand is where a band should play because you can hear what you're playing and it's under cover.

"Jephson Gardens is a very beautiful park, but in bad weather the bands are invited to play in the glasshouse. If you tried to play an instrument in that hothouse you would die.

"The bandstand is not as lovely as Jephson Gardens but if they put the flower beds and some seating back it would be a wonderful place to play."

But Cubbington Silver Band musical director Paul Johnson struck a different note.

He said: "There are no facilities in the Pump Room Gardens.

"There are no toilets, cafe or restaurant - and you do get a lot of drunks and kids who hang off the bandstand and try to play the drums while we are playing.

"You find that you have a much bigger audience in Jephson Gardens. Bands that come from other parts of the country prefer it."

He thinks the bandstand should be moved.

He said "Where it is, people have to sit on the floor and you get no atmosphere - it really is a bad spot."

Warwick District Council's Nigel Bishop is a veteran of managing parks and open spaces and organising performances.

He said: "The bandstand is fine but if you move any distance away you cannot actually hear.

"I used to play with a silver band and there was a section at the back which helped to throw the sound out. But that was taken away because we found that people were not prepared to sit in one place and listen for two hours.

"In Jephson Gardens you can have a picnic, go on a boat, go for a walk or an ice-cream and still hear the band. It's almost background music to an exciting afternoon in the park."

He said the cost of putting on free performances at the bandstand would run to "thousands of pounds per session".

In her letter to the Courier, Mrs Chesterfield said of the Pump Room Gardens bandstand: "The central setting, within a large open space, provides a better focal point form players and audiences and allows greater scope for a shared community experience, which is a good thing."