I SEE that the Executive members of Blackburn with Darwen Council have decided to demolish the building 103 Preston New Road, Blackburn (LET, December 7).

As a local historian, I am sad about this, as it is not just any old building -- it is part of Blackburn's history.

Hundreds of women in this town look at that building with affection and nostalgia, because for over 80 years it was Blackburn High School for Girls.

As the blue plaque on the wall tells us, it was built for Dr James Barlow who practised in the town from 1797 to 1839.

He left the house to his adopted son, James Barlow Stewardson Sturdy, who was the Mayor of Blackburn 1862-1863.

Sturdy's daughters sold it to James Hargreaves and Thomas Mitchell Eccles, the founders of the Girls High School in 1883.

Since the High School moved to Witton Park in 1961 and finally disappeared into the comprehensive system, the building on Preston New Road has been used by Blakey Moor Girls' School, Chorley training College and more recently as an education and training centre.

£1million is a lot of money to have to spend on repairs, but if the 1892 extension has to be demolished, it would be good if Dr Barlow's original house, Spring Mount, could be preserved to serve some useful purpose.

BARBARA RIDING, Fairhope Court, Blackburn.