TWELVE years ago when Blackburn Council's cleansing department was close to being privatised, the council won the day with promises that all streets in Darwen and Blackburn would be swept once a week and back streets once a month. (Dream on).

Also, in a cash-saving cut back, the council reduced the number of large mechanical road sweepers from six to two and the manual workforce by more than 90 men (in all departments).

Hence, the neglect of council properties and the filthy streets over the years.

And regarding Councillor Kevin Connor's remarks (Letters, May 9), it is the council's responsibility to keep the town clean. When will the penny drop and the council realise that a clean town is a healthy town?

F CROMPTON (Mr), Lightbown Street, Darwen.