YOU reported plans to erect a statue to Barbara Castle. Why? I started work at T and R Eccles in Lower Darwen Mill in 1948 (when cotton was king).

I now live in Great Harwood and I am told that in 1948 there were 22 mills in this town.

In 1989 I was the last overlooker at the last mill in Harwood.

Under Barbara Castle the cotton industry was decimated and I was made redundant nine times.

I remember Billy Birtwistle who owned Navigation Mill in Forrest Street, organising TAG, the Textile Action Group.

We all went to the House of Commons to lobby our MPs, Sydney Silverman from Nelson, Castle from Blackburn and the MPs from all surrounding districts, they all said they would help us, but they all did a Dr Beeching on our mills.

If they must have a statue in the town put one up to Billy Birtwistle who at least tried.

D H ASPDEN, Butts Mount, Great Harwood.