I WAS interested to read (LET, April 2) about the possibility of Dave Whelan opening a soccer dome in the Fishmoor Drive area of Blackburn and that this could spell the end of the road for the Shadsworth Leisure Centre.

My husband and sons are keen footballers and, along with a group of friends, have used various facilities in the area. The last time they rented an outdoor pitch at Shadsworth, a group of youths wandered on to the pitch while they were still playing, generally tried to disrupt the game and then claimed it was their turn.

My husband felt they were looking for trouble and so vacated the pitch. He did complain to the Leisure Centre on his way out and was told that the youths had not even paid for the pitch and that somebody would telephone when the matter had been looked into.

Nobody ever phoned and my family have no intention of using the facility again. I am afraid Shadsworth Leisure Centre do not need a new soccer dome to threaten their business. Their own management is already doing that.

JULIE HARRIS, Cornwall Road, Rishton.