REGARDING your report about the move to transfer the Blackburn branches of Halifax Bank to the former Burton retail shop in King William Street (LET, December 12), there appears to be discriminatory practice towards the Halifax.

King William Street has 10 financial institutions at this time, including the smaller branch of the Halifax. In my opinion, it seems logical to transfer to larger premises in King William Street instead of being split between two sites and Burton's outlet seems ideal.

for the Halifax customer, it would be better as cash machines are only available at the Grosvenor Way branch and from January 2001, customers will have to withdraw cash from these machines only, as money (to the value of £300) will not be available from the till counter.

From a financial point of view, it seems more cost-effective to have one site with all staff and services available.

The prospect of no Halifax branch in Blackburn is not worth contemplating as it would directly affect Halifax customers. It is only three months ago that the Brownhill Branch of the Halifax Bank was closed.

J SMITH (Ms), Higher Witton Road, Blackburn.