WE are told by our councillors that if the rural areas of Darwen are taken out of the equation, due to them being affluent areas needing less money spending on them, then the difference in spend per head of population is very small.

I therefore conclude that if all the affluent rural areas of Blackburn are also taken out of the calculation then this figure of £763 would, in fact, rise towards £1,000 per head of population.

Perhaps the council could offer to pay for new signs on the M65 which still remain showing Blackburn Services out of the money owed.

May I also respectfully remind Councillor Smith that we are talking here about monies from Council Tax, the input per head being equal in both towns and not the perceived improvements due to government or European grants, e.g. The New Health Centre -- government funded.

We all like to play on a level playing field.

N WALSH, Sudell Close, Darwen.