I READ with great interest and amusement the comments made by the editor of EN Magazine about Blackburn. As a former resident, I have to say that I can see his point entirely.

It is a shame that more businesses do not move into the area -- the rents are cheap, there must be many people looking for employment opportunities and it would be nice to see the area become an industrial centre once again and somewhere that people can take a great pride in making their home.

As it stands though, there is just nothing to attract educated and skilled people to the area.

There is very little in the way of cultural life, very few shops and entertainment facilities and a nightlife that appears to consist of cheesy venues catering to the underage trade.

Add to this vile architecture, racial tension and a high crime rate and it's not difficult to see why people outside the area have formed such a negative view.

For residents of Manchester, Liverpool, London or any other great city visiting the town, the fact that Blackburn aims for city status seems frankly laughable.

I do feel sorry for school/college leavers who are not planning to take up employment or further study outside the region, as there seems to be little in Blackburn for young people.

It doesn't surprise me that most creative or ambitious people tend to leave the area (in my experience, as soon as they are able).

There is very much a 'local town for local people' atmosphere which would make anyone with a non-local accent, anybody well-qualified or doing anything outside of the status-quo feel quite unwelcome.

Preston might only be a short distance away, but it's clear to see why it attracts both people and industry.

Although a lot of people are proud of being Blackburners, the town has a long way to go before it can join the 21st Century.

TABITHA HAMILTON, Moseley Road, Manchester.