I AGREE in part with the letter headlined 'Morecambe really has had its day' (Citizen, May 1). However, it was tactless, did not consider the resort's circumstances and certainly did not suggest how to improve matters.

Morecambe is in a predicament commonplace on our island - it is run by a council which refuses to accept its reality, perhaps because the truth really hurts.

Indeed, this false perception of reality is fostered by those who have a vested interest in keeping it that way.

The answer is simple. If council funds were invested in creating a pleasant place to live instead of the insane venture of subsidising and encouraging loss-making tourism, More-cambe would be better off and new jobs would be created.

An example would be to spend money on making the town beautiful for its inhabitants (dare I mention 'creative destruction') and improving infrastructure, such as public transport, thus creating a pleasant place for people to live and thrive.

If a town is nice to live in it fosters high standards of public activity and residential quality. It will then attract people looking for a better standard of living, who in turn bring skills and money with them long term.

But with a council looking for quick win votes and easy lives instead of wholesale reform and facing up to challenges, it doesn't look like it will change.

Lancaster student (name and address supplied).