YOU ask what we think about pulling down a big chunk of Blackburn's character and building flats.

I agree with Stewart Wilcox (LET, July 1) with a few reasons of my own. Margo Grimshaw has made herself wealthy, operating from these very premises she now wants to demolish, and whilst I applaud her wanting to improve Blackburn with new flats I question the area she has chosen.

I am sure she has her reasons and her 'vision' is obviously important to her. However, what about those people trying to make a living in the businesses that would be affected? The people who knew nothing of their fate until they read the article on 'Margo's Vision.' Not a nice way to find out you are set to lose your home, your business and your livelihood.

I wonder how Margo would have got on if her first business venture had been demolished before she had a chance to become established. This is what could happen to other young people trying to make their mark and keep business in the town flourishing.

Young people have always flocked to the town centre at the weekends to have fun, meet friends, look for love and generally unwind.

If the night life in Blackburn is gone, where will our youngsters go?

I do not believe they all go out every weekend to get totally smashed, have fights and cause damage and get into trouble. The minority may do, but why should the majority be branded the same?

We have some wonderful young people growing up in our town. We should be proud of them and how they conduct themselves. We are a richer town for having them.

I do not know what the answer is to the drink-related problems that occur, not just in our town, but sending them to another town surely is not the answer.

Our police do a wonderful job of patrolling the streets at the weekend and are visible to assist people who may be in trouble or to nip incidents in the bud.

Blackburn town centre is and always has been a wonderful place, of course improvements are needed but it would be sad to see the very heart taken out, wonderful buildings pulled down and the young people moved on. I implore the powers that be to please don't take away the music.

LINDA BURY, Westwell Street, Darwen.