REGARDING your 'Looking Back' article on Blackburn's Rialto Cinema (LET, July 2), I have never been able to understand why it was demolished all those years ago.

We were told at the time that they were going to build offices on the site but all we have got is a car park.

It was a wonderful cinema and we, the teenagers of our time, and the grown ups loved it. Your pictures of it brought many happy memories.

The Rialto had a huge stage and shows could have been staged there. It was in a convenient situation for all, where was dancing and a restaurant.

Oh, I felt so sad when it all went for ever, so did all the town.

If you mention the Rialto to anyone who was alive at the time, they go all nostalgic.

The staff were always so smartly dressed -- the doormen, the page boys, etc.

Thanks anyway for the pictures.

CLARA STANGER, St Michael's Court, Blackburn.