UNFORTUNATELY, Mr J Alcock (Letters, April 18) has got hold of the wrong end of the stick when criticising Blackburn with Darwen Council for spending money on "metal trees and ornate gates" instead of on the needs of the elderly.

The money obtained by the council for such arts projects has come via specific arts grants funded by the Government.

These monies could not be transferred by the council to be spent on other spending priorities. This has been pointed out time and again, but some readers continue to ignore this point!

Since becoming a unitary authority, Blackburn with Darwen Council has spent more on providing care for elderly people, not less, as implied by Mr Alcock's letter.

COUN DAVE SMITH (Sunnyhurst Ward), Secretary, Blackburn with Darwen Council Labour Group, Avondale Road, Darwen.