IT would appear that you have gone into print with your opinion (February 11) without first checking the facts.

There is a distinct difference between an amusement centre and an amusement arcade; and the difference is defined in the Home Office circular to all councils drawn up in 1996. Guideline Three states that admission to centres which have all-cash AWP machines will be restricted to persons 18 years and over.

Guideline Ten states that contravention of these rules is a criminal offence, and the holder's permit can be cancelled by the local authority. The directors of MHA Leisure share Councillor Doherty's fears regarding under-age gambling and perhaps his energies would be better employed concerning the arcades presently frequented by children in such places as tenpin bowling alleys, motorway service stations and food outlets throughout the borough.

As responsible parents ourselves, we consider our premises to be no threat to children as they will not be allowed to enter under any circumstances; unlike all of the above. There is a demand for gaming machines, as the many hundreds sited in pubs, clubs, bingo halls and betting shops will testify, all played in the main for pleasure by responsible adults.

The application for change of use by our company for New Chapel Street, Mill Hill, submitted to Blackburn Borough Council, will stand or fall on its merit. All recommendations by the council have been adhered to on the plans. The property has been empty for many months and our scheme of costly improvements to the property can only improve the look of New Chapel Street and encourage more people to frequent the local shops.

Finally, there are two National Lottery outlets sited in the same street. There has been an overwhelming amount of adverse publicity regarding youngsters and the National Lottery yet we hear no outburst from Councillor Doherty regarding this; indeed Blackburn Borough Council have been and will be in the future recipients of Lottery grants - gambling products.

The Directors M.J.A. Leisure.

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