THEY all look the same, they all have the same line and they're all asking for your money. No, I'm talking about politicians, I'm talking about the growing groups of "vagrants" wandering the streets of Blackburn.

I use the word "vagrants" loosely because I smell a rat. They're generally between 20 and 30-years-old, they've got rolled-up mats or sleeping bags and they're wearing jeans and anoraks. They loiter around public places. The most popular spots are the cathedral grounds, boulevard and inside the shopping precinct.

The other day, one young man walked up to me and, in a Scouse accent, asked if I had any change because he was on the streets.

Forgive me for sounding callous and uncaring but there's a healthy, looked-after look about these people - one that doesn't come from living on the streets night and day. They look like your average 20-year-old lad.

It was this, in particular, which made me think. These younger vagrants have only recently started to appear in Blackburn and they've flocked here in their tens. I hear all sorts of accents - from Scottish to Scouse to Mancunian. If they really are on the streets, why on earth have they chosen the streets of Blackburn? They're not exactly paved with gold.

Speaking to a friend recently, she said that someone had spotted all the "vagrants" jumping out of a transit van in Blackburn town centre.

I think it is time to bring the strong arm of the law down on these people and find out exactly who they are and why they're here. Because one thing's for sure, if they are an organised gang of beggars, something has to be done to stop generous people throwing away their money.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.