VIRTUALLY every year an appeal goes out from Blackburn for it to be considered for city status.

The first thing that needs to be asked is whether the title Blackburn with Darwen City is appropriate.

Next, we must inform the Home Office that Blackburn is unique, for the town has not got a main street.

We have a centre and running all the way around is an orbital route. From the air, it must take on the appearance of a fortification as in Roman times, for we seem to be preparing for a siege -- at all costs keep the so and sos out.

The orbital road is strangling the centre of the town and what is more important, the road is doing damage to the businesses that depend on contact.

JOHN SHORROCK, Marlton Road, Blackburn.