REGARDING recent reports that the National Health Service's financial position is in dire straits, if the Government cannot meet the expense of building new hospitals, then they cannot afford to close existing units.

Blackburn Infirmary is due to close in two years' time. It is and has always been a first-class hospital. Its age does not matter, but its reputation does.

To close this hospital will be a blunder and people in Blackburn are very disturbed about the whole affair. Queen's Park Hospital is not well liked as it still carries the name of the workhouse, which it was in days gone-by.

JOHN SHORROCK, Marlton Road, Blackburn.