I HAVE come back to live in Blackpool after living away for over thirty years. I now have my own business on the outskirts of the town centre and would like to know - why the businesses and shopkeepers cannot keep the front of their premises swept, washed and free from weeds as they do in Europe?

I go abroad a great deal and the majority of places I visit are busy holiday resorts just like Blackpool, except the one thing most European countries have in common, which we haven't, is a pride in their shops premises and town. Our pavements and forecourts are a disgrace.

Last Saturday while walking into town along Caunce Street and Church Street I could not believe how disgusting and filthy it looked. There were thrown away pizza boxes, half eaten fish and chips, burger boxes full of unmentionable food, vomit and urine in the shop doorways, broken glass and empty cans on the pavements and in the road. This, I might add, was at 10.30am, the shops were already open and yet not one shopkeeper had the decency to either wash or sweep the front of their premises.

Admittedly the pavements and roads are the responsibility of the council who I think we pay enough rates to in order that they are kept clean. But it would not hurt shopkeepers to sweep the front of their shops. You never know, once we as residents of Blackpool try to have pride in our town, holidaymakers might just make an effort as well.

Mrs Jackie Forsyth, Caunce Street, Blackpool.