I AM sure the people of Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley will be delighted at the prospect of being taken over by Blackburn Council (LET, September 2) when they realise the advantages to be gained.

They will enjoy the benefits of superior town-centre traffic planning, large chunks of scrap metal will adorn their highways and meaningless banners declaring things like 'cultural' and 'cathedral' quarter will fly proudly in their streets.

Of course, there will be a downside.

To pay for all the grandiose schemes they will have to accept a reduction in the standards of some of the services they now enjoy.

Street cleansing will become extinct.

Parks and play areas will be neglected and basic public health functions such as the removing of accumulate rotting rubbish will cease.

On the plus side, they will benefit from an increase of wildlife in their streets and parks as the rapidly increasing friendly rat population will soon become as familiar a sight to them as it is to the people of Blackburn.

Of course, the people of Blackburn may be lucky if the merger does take place as the influx of voters from these areas may bring in some competent councillors.

L LAWES, Bold Street, Blackburn.