AS A regular user of Witton Park in Blackburn, I am becoming increasingly appalled at the unnecessary destruction of the woodlands areas by the park's management.

For the last six months or more, gangs of workers have been cutting down and burning shrubs and bushes.

This leaves only trees, with nothing but acres of bare soil underneath.

Not only do I consider this to be a waste of taxpayers' money, but also the destruction of natural wildlife habitats.

As nothing is planted in place of the rhododendrons, it gives invasive imported plants like the Himalayan Balsam the perfect opportunity to thrive and take over areas of the park at the expense of native flora.

If effort was put into destroying these imported pests before they take over the park instead of removing the rhododendrons, Witton Park would be a far better place to visit.

RICHARD LOOMS (via email).