IT'S interesting to observe how our modern culture strives to make sin look normal and make respectability, decency or righteousness look strange.

One of the ways is by hi-jacking words and minimising or neutralising their real meaning, and the article on the all male lap dancing club Wicked shows a good example of this.

Here is a dictionary description of the word wicked: 'Sinful, addicted to evil or vice, wilfully transgressing against the divine or moral law, depraved.'

The club was granted permission to open after magistrates dismissed objections by the police as un-corroborated, well let's have a look at the police case.

A 41 per cent rise in violent crime following the opening of other licensed venues in the town.

Thirteen minutes of CCTV footage featuring drunken and violent behaviour in the resort.

Blackpool's image as grotty and sleazy being further enhanced.

The town having reached saturation point as regards licensed premises and drunken and violent behaviour growing hand in hand with the growth of late night licences.

The magistrates' judgement was the the police had failed to make a cogent case other than making general assumptions as to problems which may or may not accrue.

The writer's view is that certainly nothing good, decent or honourable will come from this decision and the town's shoddy reputation will be further highlighted as more and more traditional holidaymakers and visitors abandon us to our fate.

Now one final thought about our decision makers, magistrates were once well respected, independently fair minded men and women we could trust to act in good faith on our behalf.

These unnamed apologists for that privileged office should hang their heads in shame.

E Barnes, South Promenade, Thornton Cleveleys

The trouble here was that the police did not make any case specifically against the club or its owners and were therefore, rightfully over-ruled, and your argument is based on assumptions about taste and morality.

Many people would, for example, welcome the closure of abortion clinics but it ain't going to happen is it?

The police should not comment on grounds of taste or the image of the resort... what's it got to do with them? What next? Their views on the best type of conservatory to erect in your back garden!

There may well have been a 41 per cent rise in violent crime and drunken, loutish behaviour in the resort... what does that have to do with Wicked's owners?

I'd like to see these figures at the end of the year when the police publicity people will no doubt be telling us how successful they have been in reducing crime.

On a brighter note, cracking letter, which has bagged you a dictionary - please ring our office to claim your prize - Ed.