SHADSWORTH housing estate in Blackburn had a slightly unsavoury name quite a while ago.

However, the stigma' is now greatly diluted, and to read (LT, September 14) of one of its famous sons, the Rovers fan (Mr Ivor Bolton) the renowned orchestra conductor, brought up on Rothesay Road, reminded me of others brought up on the estate, four of whom, working class boys were also achievers.

One was a Dr Smith (I lost track of him).

The second was Dr H, whom I see on his rare visits to the estate.

The other two were brothers, Oxford Blues. Dr J F...... became the occupant of a high position in the civil service.

The other brother continued his education at Cambridge, went to America, becoming a prominent scientist.

This brother, Dr E F.... attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, leaving with 11 distinctions out of 12 subjects in the exams.

I was at his house the day he came home. Later, his parents and his schoolteacher aunt verified this.

All four of these boys were PhDs which illustrates quite clearly what can be accomplished by scholars from working class families in council houses.

BILL AUSTIN, Bute Road, Shadsworth.