I would like to respond to Stephen Potter’s quite shameful comments (‘Give money where it’s needed’, LT, November 22).

Mr Potter sees fit to openly criticise the placing of the Crown Paints awards on a number of highly regarded organisations.

He is well aware that he has a forum to bring up such issues as a member of the public at Darwen Town Council meetings.

Mr Potter’s For Darwen Party does not have a seat on Darwen Town Council for a reason.

He has, however been the recipient of almost £5,000 from Darwen Town Council in his roles within the Friends of Darwen Tower and Darwen Royal British Legion.

This is why I find it staggering that he bemoans the £2,000 given to the Friends of Darwen Cemetery to tend to family war graves.

How does he see the replacement and re-erection of gravestones as a borough function ?

He also bemoans money to help the Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood to pay for the festive services – how mean-minded.

His contemptible statement of the awards as “a joke” when he has just benefited from them is quite simply crass.

The money placed by the awards is judged on merit and distributed correctly to hard-working community organisations.

I would like to thank Crown Paints for their considerable support and the groups themselves for their dedication.

Despite the ramblings of a sore loser, you all ought to be very proud of your achievements.

Coun Pete Hollings, Sunnyhurst Ward.