I READ with despair about yet another plan to place public art in Blackburn town centre, this time a light sculpture at a cost of £50,000.

Why do we continue to blight this town by erecting these follies?

The site of the proposed art is Sudell Cross.

Would the money not have been better spent in refurbishing the cross with period lighting that would blend in with the elegant Georgian architecture of Richmond Terrace?

I would presume that this area of Blackburn is within conservation restrictions, or have they been completely ignored?

The renovation of the Waterloo pavilions was spoilt by the dripping cotton buds'.

Are we yet again going to fail our town by including this blot?

As for the cohesion of communities represented within, please don't insult our intelligence.

If you feel so strongly Mr Watkinson about the issue of community and history in this town, gift your sculpture to us.

At least it will not be as much of a financial embarrassment when we have to dismantle it.

STEPHEN MAHON, Alexandra Road, Blackburn.