IN reply to John Farrer (Letters, April 13) who accused my colleague, candidate Dorothy Westell, of voting for the closure of Oswaldtwistle fire station at the recent area council meeting, I am writing in her defence as she refused to resort to gutter politics.

The fact is that County Councillor Westell, under the constitution of the area council, does not have a vote and the chairman, Councillor Peter Britcliffe, knows this.

MAURICE COWELL, Richmond Road, Accrington.