REGARDING the discovery of original cobble stones at Higher Church Street and Darwen Street, Blackburn (LET, August 16), it seems a shame that they could not be saved to show a little of the original past and used today.

The argument about lack of time, them not being suitable and not in keeping with the redevelopment plan was the same one used in the Sixties. Subsequently, many features that could have been saved were destroyed then.

As part of the consultation process over the redevelopment of Church Street, the council set up an all-political party Task Group, excellently monitored by Councillor Stephen Greenwood, to which all interested parties submitted evidence.

The outcome was not what the Chamber of Trade wanted, but at no time did the Chamber's Church Street Sub-Committee delay the final conclusion.

The whole consultation process was a fine example of democracy at work and the Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade will, when necessary, use this democratic right in the interests of members, as well as the wider public of Blackburn and Darwen.

RAYMOND GOLDSTONE (Mr), chairman, Regeneration sub-committee, Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, Strawberry Bank, Blackburn.