I READ (LET, February 9) with some dismay that Blackburn with Darwen Council are once again hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt, through non-payment of rents.

It seems to me that this happens every year.

This is a lot of money which could have been used for other causes -like keeping open the Laneside and Shadsworth homes for the elderly which are to close for the lack of money.

It was a forgone conclusion from the start that they would be closed and I agree with the correspondent who said the council's consultation was a complete sham.

I have lived in Blackburn all my life and have never seen it in such a sorry state.

The market has many stalls empty when it used to be one of the best markets in the county. Pretty soon, we may not have a market at all.

Blackburn and Blackpool have both got unitary status.

Yet Blackpool's Council Tax went down while Blackburn's went up by almost 5 per cent.

If Blackburn wants to become a city, the council will have to shape up.

MR LESLIE BURROWS, Bonsall Street, Blackburn.

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