WITH much sadness I read the article (LT, August 19) about Rossendale being the 'chav' capital of Britain as the picture it painted is very different to the reality.

I do not deny that there are aspects of life in the borough that I would like to see improved and as a council we are focused on delivering a community strategy which sets out to make the borough a place where everyone wants to live, work and visit.

But I was particularly disappointed about the very negative way the story it portrayed young people in the borough.

The article appeared in the week when local students received their examination results, which so many have worked so hard to achieve.

I should point out that young people in Rossendale have achieved some of the best A-level results in East Lancashire so we can hardly be described as the chav' capital of Britain.

Contrast Saturday's article with the positive image of the young people who were involved in the official opening of a youth Shelter at Staghills (which appeared in the Monday edition).

These young people had thrown themselves into getting a wide range of local agencies to support their request for a designated youth facility.

Having looked at the chavtowns' website, the site is clearly designed to give malcontents the opportunity to bad-mouth their towns and cities in a very one- sided way.

I am all for free speech and a free press, but feel it is right to challenge the negative image that has been portrayed on the website and through Saturday's article.

Isn't the Telegraph currently running its annual business awards with the aim of promoting the area's businesses and people?

Telegraph editor Kevin Young is quoted as saying: "Every year the judges in East Lancashire's premier business awards are surprised at the enterprise, dynamism, ingenuity and talent displayed in some truly amazing success stories."

Thankfully several contributors to the chavtowns' website have had the good sense to highlight the good things about the borough.

As one entry points out, "we're actually really lucky to live in an area that is so pretty and still be so close to Manchester."

I would encourage all those people who feel as I do to take the opportunity to visit this www.chavtowns.co.uk and post comments that will help to present a more balanced picture of the borough.

COUNCILLOR Duncan Ruddick, Leader, Rossendale Council