· If water's coming in through the seams, and sprays are not sealing them properly, paint Bostick (pink tube) well into the stitching. It worked for my tent, which was nylon. Do it outside on a dry day, though, or you'll be breathing in the smell for days!

Amanda Cox

· Use Thompsons Waterseal, available from any hardware store. Yes, I know it says it's for brickwork, but this is the stuff. Apply evenly with a broad paintbrush. It also works on car hoods.
Bob Clenton

· Always sad to see an old tent go but it's time to buy another one. Eight years for a tent is good by any standards. Just make sure that it's last outing is a memorable and happy occasion for you both! With time, you'll grow to love the new one too.
Cheers
Simon Woodcock

· The short answer is 'buy a new tent'. I'm surprised your Lichfield lasted as long as 8 years. In my experience with tents (and outdoor equipment in general) you get what you pay for and Lichfield is the cheap and cheerful end of the market. So buy a new tent and spend as much as you can possibly afford; to do otherwise is a false economy. For longevity it is better to go for cotton rather than nylon although this does rather restrict the choice nowadays. The cotton flysheet on my Vango Force Ten lasted 20 years and the inner tent is still going strong.
David Andrews

· In reply to J Taylor's request for advice about the Litchfield tent, I think I have the solution to the problem. As I under stand it the tent is leaking, will not take a repair and is eight years old. The answer is simple really. Buy another tent.
Regards
David Hobday