THE Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Mr Phillip Watson, has stated (LET, September 25) that the preferred amalgamation of the authority with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 'would not itself force up council tax bills.'

How can Mr Watson claim this? As chief executive he is an employee of the council. What if at the time of any such takeover circumstances were to change and the council decided to raise the council tax? He would have to do the bidding of his masters.

The one fact in this matter which will not change is that the majority of people in the Ribble Valley want nothing to do with Blackburn as their local authority.

The vision we have of that town and its leaders is not encouraging to say the least. The inability of its council to keep the place clean, the reported growth of the rat population, the non democratic way in which its cabinet dictates to councillors and the vast monies expended on scrap metal art are just some of the reasons which give us in the Ribble Valley (and no doubt Hyndburn) cause for concern.

We only have to look at the way in which the people of Darwen are reportedly being treated to honestly believe that were such a takeover to occur we would then become the second class citizens of a third class council.

Blackburn? No thanks -- they must look elsewhere in their quest for power.

ANTONY HAWORTH, Pendleside Close, Sabden.