AT the recent district elections, Tory candidates claimed credit for having secured funding for certain Great Harwood projects -- regeneration of Queen Street, Windsor Road play area and levelling of the Memorial playing fields.

Could I state the facts? The new supermarket was the result of detailed discussion and included a package of regeneration improvements for the street.

To say the least, the local Tories were hostile towards this development.

Development of housing on the old Record Mill site resulted in three extra packages -- playground improvements, playing field improvements and social housing investment. However, due to local Conservative councillors not keeping their eye on the ball, money for two of these projects was diverted elsewhere in the borough.

A discussion through the local press and officers of Great Harwood Rovers and Councillor Win Frankland became something of a slanging match. After talks with these officers, I tabled a question at the Area Council, and suggested discussions towards the playing fields development should take place between the council and Great Harwood Rovers. I also supported this development at North West Sports against fierce completion from other areas and was successful in obtaining approval.

I feel sure that any fair-minded person would agree that these were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for Great Harwood. And any planning gain should have been retained in the town.

That was certainly the view of the public at the Area Council. For my part, I will be keeping a watchful eye on the proposed improvements at Memorial Park now that there has been a change of council control and I will be looking for a housing project to compensate for the one lost.

County Councillor GEORGE SLYNN, Haydock Square, Great Harwood.