I HAVE to say that I am disappointed that my attempts to bring a little humour to a serious discussion should cause such offence to Mr Van Hecke (Your Letters, June 10). If I did cause offence then I apologise, something which Mr Van Hecke finds difficult.

The whole tenor of Mr Van Hecke's letters is of some sort of "golden era" when Prestwich was akin to paradise. But we live in a rapidly changing world and we have to get maximum benefit whilst mitigating the less pleasant aspects.

To respond to Mr Van Hecke, I played a significant part in securing the Youth and Community facility in St Mary's Park, Prestwich, and this year the Labour Group proposed an extra £200,000 for young people, something not supported by the other parties. People have said they are pleased at the improvements in our parks, and there remains in place a major investment programme.

This year also sees considerable expenditure by the council on several schemes in Prestwich, and we have agreed to put rental income from the Longfield Centre into environmental improvements in that area. Details can be found in the council's Budget documents.

Finally, I must take issue with Mr Van Hecke that "elderly people wonder where they might be sent if they are unable to look after themselves". This sounds like some totalitarian regime ordering people where to go. Our new policy is designed to increase independent living, provide a wider range of facilities, and thus ensure real choice with a much-diminished dependence on being "put in a home".

COUNCILLOR JOHN BYRNE