IN view of David Jennings' offer to purchase the Parker's and Whitehead's reservoirs (Bury Times, May 21), it is now time for Mr Keith Talbot to come clean regarding his "hidden agenda".

It is evident that the expenditure required to complete the work detailed in the two planning applications submitted to Bury MBC rules out any possibility of commercial fishing on the reservoirs ever being viable.

Judging by Mr Talbot's general demeanour at the recent special meeting of the Bury West Area Board he showed no concern at all for the strong public opposition to his proposals.

Could it be, therefore, that the planning applications were submitted with the sole purpose of evoking a hostile reaction from local residents, which might then result in them being refused? In that situation, Mr Talbot could blame the residents for thwarting his efforts to save the reservoirs for the community. Mr Talbot would then be able to claim that he is unable to fund their maintenance costs and would have no alternative but drain the reservoirs, making them available for landfill. Whether or not the road access to the car parks had been carried out, wouldn't the local authority be obliged to give limited period access to facilitate landfill activities?

There is a shortage of landfill sites in this area and potential income from such tipping rights would be considerable.

Mr Talbot's claim to be a keen fisherman of many years standing has been called into question by the local fishing fraternity and I, and others, would be interested to learn of the fishing clubs of which he has been a member.

H. PETER HOLLAND