REGARDING your report (LET, March 27) on Blackburn with Darwen's Christmas trees. Conservative Councillor Paul McGurty is quite right to point out that savings could be made by planting the trees on a permanent basis rather than the annual pilgrimage we endure now, of two people being sent by the council to Norfolk to select them.

Executive member Andy Kay says: "Roots could interfere with sewers or grow upwards and break pavements."

Yet the photograph used in your report clearly shows that there are several trees planted on a permanent basis already in King William Street, in Blackburn.

As for Coun Kay's claims that permanent trees would "take away the magic of a special Christmas tree" perhaps would take it away for the two representatives sent annually to Norfolk!

I am more concerned that the 'magic' of Christmas is already taken away from many citizens by the extortion the Labour Party calls the Council Tax.

At Christmas time people are especially hard-pressed financially and rather than spend the money 'saved' from the annual planting of Christmas trees, it would be much more considerate to reduce the Council Tax.

I am, however, fully supportive of the idea of celebrating Christmas in the borough, but would question the amount spent on the annual decorations and the current unfair distribution of the festive attractions.

I am sure the people of Darwen know what I mean.

COUN ROBIN EVANS (British National Party) Blackburn with Darwen Council.