A leaflet distributed by Lancashire Waste Partnership states that "every day people in Lancashire throw away around 177 tonnes of newspapers and magazines, the equivalent of destroying around 2,655 trees a week."

So, we are asked to put our waste paper for recycling and also to use recycled materials whenever possible.

I'm happy to do my bit for the environment but on my walks around Sunnyhurst Woods in Darwen I've lost count of the number of felled trees. It must about 50. Many others carry the dreaded orange or green mark, which means they, too, are doomed.

We hear of some mature trees in the Cathedral grounds at Blackburn being felled to open up the vista (LET, March 22). All this troubles me because I know how vital trees are to the wellbeing of our planet and I think of all the years it has taken them to grow to maturity.

Not all are diseased and I fear this is a money-making exercise by Blackburn with Darwen Council. How environmentally friendly is this?

E M EASTHAM, Milton Close, Darwen.

Footnote: Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration, said: "The tree work in Blackburn Cathedral grounds is part of a landscape management plan. On the advice of both arboricultural specialists and BCA Landscaping, we have pruned 33 trees as part of good arboricultural management practice, such as crown lifting and crown thinning.

"Eighteen trees have been felled either because they were diseased or dying, or they were crowding out other more significant trees. As part of the landscape improvement, specimen trees will be planted this winter to improve the visual amenity of the area."