REGARDING my earlier remarks about paying for the asylum seekers coming to Blackburn and Darwen, Andrew Lain (Letters, April 21) asked what right I had to comment as a Ribble Valley council taxpayer.

For his information, my husband runs a business in Blackburn and has done so for more than 25 years and pays council tax for the same.

Also, up to the past three years, we paid council tax to Blackburn for 50-plus years.

I watch the care system and social services in Blackburn fall apart because I worked for it.

My 83-year-old mother-in-law, who has paid Blackburn Council all her life, as has my own family, can have home care services if she pays privately for them.

This is why I said and will say again, our dues are taken from our own and given to others who haven't worked for it.

So, please, don't tell me I have no right to comment, please! I pay for the privilege!

MARY GRUNDY, Carter Fold, Mellor.