HAS Councillor Andy Kay paused to think how mistaken he must be to promote Blackburn with or without Darwen as a tourist attraction (LET, March 17)?

Whilst Blackburn is no longer a working mill town (with one exception) there are still plenty of old mills and factories in some areas of the town -- Pump Street, Griffin, Bolton Road/Infirmary area, Manner Sutton Street area, Mill Hill and Moorgate. One is not criticising Blackburn as a place to live, just its exaggerated claim to be a tourist centre.

As a native of Blackburn I can say without fear of contradiction that with the exception of the cathedral and arguably two other buildings Blackburn town has very little to offer the discerning tourist.

Preston, for example, is far superior to Blackburn as a tourist town: the fine Harris Museum and other central buildings, the third highest steeple in England, the largest bus station in Europe (when built), the University, the National Museum of Football, the river and its new harbour, one of the finest Willis organs in Europe, County Hall, the Lancashire County Museum, a historic barracks and a rare 'shot' tower are just some of its interesting features.

It was the home of Sir Richard Arkwright and also the start of the teetotal movement.

Then there is the Preston Guild going back to medieval times, the historic tramway route linking two canals and, not least, a most exquisite Indian temple. Preston had the very first stretch of motorway in the UK and one of the earliest wrought iron church interiors (St Peter's). Its railway station is on the main line.

Mr Kay and his ruling Labour colleagues who supported the introduction of such an exasperating traffic system in Blackburn cannot surely be serious about making the town a tourist attraction.

Sticking a few fountains in what is basically now a soulless, sterile place (Church Street) is not gong to 'do it' for Blackburn.

The Labour Party has a lot to answer for in Blackburn. It is not another York, Durham or Chester. It is not even in the same league as the largely Georgian city of Lancaster and, dare I say it, the neighbouring city of Preston. I am not, incidentally, a member of any political party and so feel able to give criticism where it is due.

DAVID SMALLEY, Branch Road, Mellor Brook.