BLACKPOOL Council has now published details of the extensive parking restrictions and traffic diversions, which are being imposed for over a week at the end of this month, to accommodate security for the Labour Party Conference.

Coming as it does at the height of the Illuminations period, this is just the tip of a very large iceberg.

The Illuminations, once the icing, are now very much the cake for the majority of hoteliers.

An iceberg sunk the Titanic, the world's biggest liner at the time. Pray that this particular 'iceberg' doesn't sink Europe's biggest resort, taking many small hoteliers down with it.

Alarmist? I think not. The Blackpool 1st Alliance welcomes ALL conferences. They are an important part of the all embracing welcome which Blackpool is proud of. It is the overwhelming security, which the current climate requires for political conferences, that is the problem and, unfortunately, you can't have one without the other.

The security comes at a massive cost and a figure of £3 million is being estimated for this year. Whichever public pocket it comes from, Blackpool residents contribute a large proportion of that cost.

They incur this cost to be able to 'enjoy' the tremendous inconvenience caused to residents and businesses alike before, during and after conference.

The so called spin off is that "we get worldwide publicity and media coverage". Not counting those potential visitors who are deterred by the prospect of a break in a fortress town, the publicity gained is illusory.

The image of gun toting, flak jacketed police is not exactly one that is likely to encourage holiday makers to make Blackpool their first choice of destination.

What is the answer? Sadly, I think it is for Blackpool to refuse to accommodate the political conferences until such time as the 'war against terrorism' is well and truly won.

Which could be for a very long time to come.

Ken Coups, chairman Blackpool 1st Alliance, Blackpool.