I AM always amazed at the attitude of Councillor Dave Smith (Letters, March 8). The people who write to your newspaper about their beloved Darwen want to live in a clean, safe environment.

During his recent walk he should have gone past the Sunnyhurst Hotel and along Tockholes Road, notorious for dog fouling, or through the Woods -- a beautiful place, I grant you, but being spoilt by dog owners and children burning trees.

When he came out in Falcon Avenue near the George Hotel and then up the main road into town he would have noticed two bus shelters which have been smashed in. If instead he chose the route from the playing fields at Blacksnape down to Pothouse, the scenery there is lovely but please don't look halfway down the hill where someone has fly-tipped a load of rubbish.

The Library Theatre, I agree, is great and a credit to the town, but I don't think many teenagers would want to spend money going to the shows that are being staged.

Is there somewhere for them to go to get them off the streets and out of trouble? No!

India Mill has been taken over but will Coun Smith state honestly and not quote figures like a robot how many jobs have really been created, or have they just been transferred to Darwen from Blackburn Town Hall?

I am appalled that someone elected to speak out for Darwen can be so arrogant. If he reads your letters page, I'm sure he must realise there is a lot of room for improvement.

Councillor Smith and his colleagues should take off those rose coloured glasses and should want the best for Darwen and accept constructive criticism in the spirit it is given.

If there are rules in place to fine people for allowing dog fouling and fly-tipping, get the community wardens out and about in the areas being affected and hit the culprits where it hurts -- in their pockets.

IRENE THORNLEY, Coniston Avenue, Darwen.