AS the newly-elected president of the Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, I feel that I must comment on Councillor Ashley Whalley's remarks regarding Mr Jeffrey Stone's views on regeneration (Letters, February 9).

Although Mr Stone is a member of the Chamber, he is certainly not an executive member, nor is he authorised to act as a spokesperson for the organisation.

I believe that Mr Stone is a member of many other organisations and, of course, he is entitled to his personal opinion.

However, Coun Whalley must not assume that a private individual's opinion is automatically that of an organisation to which the person happens to belong.

Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade has always been in favour of regeneration of the town centre. Indeed, I feel we should praise the council for obtaining funding to improve the roads and bridges in the borough.

We have to accept a few weeks of traffic delays, if, in the long term, this improves the safety of the transport links.

Finally, I would like to point out that since I took over as president, the Chamber has set up a new Regeneration sub-committee of local traders whose aim is to look at all aspects of improving the town and to work with the local council, (and any other relevant organisations) on regeneration issues.

Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade wants and needs the town to prosper and believes regeneration will be of mutual benefit to both shoppers and traders alike.

RON O'KEEFFE junior, Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, Strawberry Bank, Blackburn.