THE cost of dying has risen by 13 per cent, according to some wonderful calculation emanating from Blackburn with Darwen Council chamber.

Are our erudite councillors aware that the taxpayers of this town are lucky if they get a wage or pension rise in line with inflation?

Not being able to collect the £1.4 million outstanding rent money owed, they have targeted a sure thing - the ones who can't run away, the deceased.

Not only can we not afford their exorbitant car park charges, now we can't afford to die.

Maybe their laptops only operate double-figure rises for public charges and their own attendance allowances.

J SLATER (Mr), Dover Street, Lower Darwen, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.