EVEN though I am a non-churchgoer, I support Bishop Alan Chesters' view that churches should be kept open for those who require spiritual contact and support (LET, February 20). This is showing the way by not giving in to criminals.

Blackburn Cathedral is a beautiful building. It is also a shrine to local servicemen and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

The preservation and protection of English churches must be a priority of all communities, believers and atheists alike.

The views of the Bishop in regard to his Church seem to be in contrast to those of the council, who seek to close the door on part of Blackburn's history by closing the Lewis Textile Museum.

These political vandals have already desecrated the once-proud Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, by removing and changing the range and scope of exhibits.

I do believe that Blackburn is suffering from too many years of practically unopposed Labour representation. It would do no harm whatsoever to see Labour in Blackburn replaced by just about any other political party, if only to relieve the tedious stranglehold on the town and the injection fresh ideas.

WALTER HALSTEAD (formerly of Blackburn), Perth, Western Australia.

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