IN reply to Lee Richardson's remarks about Darwen being a thorn in Blackburn's side (Letters, May 5) apart from his comments on moaning from 'Darreners,' I thought he was writing about Blackburn.

Areas are run down and shops boarded up -- Audley Range and Bastwell -- parks vandalised and the state of the roads in Blackburn are a few recent gripes.

It's not just Darreners who are moaning. Everybody in the borough has a good moan at things.

The people of Darwen are not to blame for the demise of the town -- it's the council to blame for not sharing the money out evenly.

For Mr Richardson to say that Darweners expect the taxpayers of Blackburn to pay for everything is a good one. If it wasn't for Darwen money, Blackburn would be in the red all the time.

He adds that he wants Darwen to have its independence and to get rid of the thorn in Blackburn's side once and for all. Well, in the 1960s and early 1970s, Darwen was always in the black when it had its own council. Blackburn was always in the red until we went in with them.

Now Blackburn gets more money spent on it than Darwen. We just get the leftovers.

HAMISH McLEAN (Mr), Brighton Terrace, Darwen.