DON'T you think it is about time that the people in the Ribble Valley who are going to be affected by the boundary changes spoke out.

I wrote a two-page letter in April last year to Councillor Dyson stating my views on these changes -- I am totally against Blackburn with Darwen Council taking over any part of the Ribble Valley.

I, too, take issue with Bill Taylor's view that the feedback from the people of Mellor and Langho is that they consider themselves to be part of Blackburn. I live in the Ramsgreave area, which will also be affected and I have not been asked and nor have the many people I have spoken to.

I bought my home in the Ribble Valley, as have members of my family, because we wanted 'out of Blackburn.' Why should Bill Taylor, Phil Watson and government ministers decide that our homes should be brought under Blackburn rule?

I know families who have actually placed their homes on the market in order to move away before these changes take place.

Reading between the lines, it would seem that this is a forgone conclusion and is being railroaded through. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council need to get their own house in order before they start to take over other areas.

Blackburn has a higher unemployment rate than the Ribble Valley and I presume the boundary changes will mean that BAE will be brought into Blackburn, which will make their employment figures look good.

Ribble Valley Borough Council is a well run council, the areas are kept clean and tidy, the Council Tax is the lowest in the North West and money is not wasted as it is in Blackburn.

Councillor Holtom, please do not sacrifice us for the grater good of the Ribble Valley -- remember, today Mellor, Langho etc. tomorrow the whole of the Ribble Valley.

The referendum should be via the ballot box at polling stations, not by postal vote, as you do not know who is voting and it is open to abuse.

If you feel as strongly about this as I do please put pen to paper and let these bureaucrats know how much we are opposed to their changes.

S BEAGHAN, Glengrave Avenue, Ramsgreave.