WITH regard to the proposed removal of the Darwen Bus Station and market buildings from their existing site I believe most of the people of Darwen, especially the elderly like myself, are against these plans.

Our bus station is central for shops, banks, the post office, railway station and markets. This is the heart of our town and any potential investment should not be wasted on pedestrianising streets, seating and fountains which would attract drunks, drug addicts and gangs of youths to congregate in the evenings.

Please leave our bus station alone, we do not want any linear bus stations or any other kind.

Our markets are part of our community where the traders are our friends. Lots of the elderly residents of Darwen live alone and going to the market gives them somebody familiar to talk to. The traders know this and treat their customers as individuals -- we are happy with this situation and would hate to see changes that would disrupt the traders and might make them close down their stalls.

The council employs somebody from outside Darwen to destroy our town. To these people it is just another project.

The community here is important and needs to be respected for its individuality not just swallowed by Blackburn.

The message is clearer -- do not upset the people of Darwen -- improvements, yes, demolition and relocation, no.

Concerned Shopper, Darwen (name and address received).