I WRITE concerning the recent closure of the East Lancashire Paper Mill in Radcliffe. This was a disgraceful thing to allow to happen to a fine, long-established mill. It was tragic for the employees and for the town of Radcliffe too, and now that the owners have gone the machinery is being dismantled and sold. What a shame.

I remember when it was a profitable mill, with good managers and busy sales people who got off their backsides and moved around the country meeting people, getting the orders personally instead of chatting on the phone.

Alright, so the need for white paper isn't what it was, but the need for brown packaging is still there and the brown paper-making section, up to a few weeks ago, seemed quite busy.

Perhaps the owners fell into the present day attitude of "why bother?" Somebody needed shaking up. Bury councillors are useless, but where was our MP? He could have pushed a bit harder. I know there are other businesses besides East Lancs, but they should not all be closing at the rate they are.

The man in the corner shop could have run it better. As a certain lady on TV says: "Whose dim bulb has now gone out?" I think the owners and directors of East Lancs were its weakest link. Goodbye!

BILL OWENS,

Turks Road, Radcliffe.