JON Carter (Letters, March 3) called for old people to be taken out of community centres and replaced by the young.

I would like to inform him that Belmont is a community centre and that there is actually a purpose-built youth centre on the estate where he lives called the Brunshaw Youth Centre.

Mr Carter seems to have his facts wrong. Belmont Community Centre offers facilities for a great variety of people, who attend groups ranging from playgroups to skill-sharing, dance groups, keep fit and the luncheon club.

The majority of these groups are open to all ages, providing informal, social and educational opportunities.

It would appear that Mr Carter has overlooked the fact that Brunshaw Action Group is a member group of Belmont Community Association, with young people using the facilities weekly.

Surely, the elderly are as much a part of the community as the young and all ages should be equally valued. Mr Carter's remarks have upset a lot of people, not only the elderly.

At Belmont Community Centre we believe in welcoming, supporting and valuing all people in our communities. If Mr Carter would like to visit us to check out the facts -- he is most welcome.

H ECCLES, Chairman, Belmont Community Association, Belmont Grove, Burnley.