JOHN Farrer (Letters, September 6) should think himself lucky he does not receive a solicitor's letter regarding the remarks about my integrity.

I never mentioned the proposed Safeway development in Great Harwood in my election address, nor have I publicly stated anything regarding Safeway's chances in the planning department.

I was instrumental in asking my constituents how they felt about a supermarket development proposal from Dranfield Properties and I took legal advice before I sent out my circular in February of this year.

The information about this development came from a source in Great Harwood as early as January and it came from a senior Tory member, not the planning department.

He had been approached to sell land and premises in the Queen Street vicinity. He told other interested parties and the rumour spread to worried tradesmen who formed a protest committee at which W Frankland and Peter Clarke attended.

I declined because I did not have any concrete information and also was advised to by the development committee.

The open day on the town centre was arranged by Dranfield Properties and that was a market research exercise for the people of Great Harwood and had no bearing on the election campaign. We were still at that time elected representatives of our wards and just as entitled as any citizen to look at their proposals. Like any other councillor, I had the right to speak on behalf of my constituents and voice my opinion at that open day.

It was Councillor Adrian Shurmer who attacked the managing director of Dranfield Properties not I. I have never mentioned Coun Lynne Wilson or Adrian Shurmer opposing the development. I have asked them to support it as a constituent.

Coun Wilson has my support. I have bowed out with grace.

Regarding my loss at the local elections, of course I was disappointed, but to lose by 100 votes is not all that bad, especially in one of the biggest Tory wards in Hyndburn.

In the election in 1995 I won by 500, so don't think I am ashamed. I am still very active in Great Harwood and will stand by the people of Great Harwood wherever I may be.

It is the Tories who have the reputation of riding roughshod over the people, not the socialists.

DAVE FORSHAW, James Street, Great Harwood.

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