IWATCHED with interest a current affairs programme on television the other weekend, which featured the leader of Hyndburn Council, Peter Britcliffe and Hazel Harding, the Labour leader of Lancashire County Council.

Ms Harding was found wanting in her attempts to justify a proposed council tax increase at County Hall of eight per cent. It was pointed out that last year, when there were elections for County Hall, that there was only a 3.9 per cent increase, yet again the people of Hyndburn were conned.

We also have to remember that the cabinet at County Hall meets in secret, and they have awarded themselves salaries of about £26,000.

Councillor Britcliffe pointed out that, over the years, Hyndburn has been deprived of enough money to maintain our roads and footpaths to an acceptable standard, making the comparison of only receiving £900,000 in the current financial year, while in the days of Margaret Thatcher they received £1.7 million.

County Councillor Harding made the excuse for such a huge increase being due to the numerous claims from the general public for accidents incurred on our roads and footpaths.

Big deal: so the people of Hyndburn are having to foot the bill because the county council have neglected their duties in maintaining our roads and footpaths to any sort of reasonable standard.

The fact of the matter is that if the county council increase by eight per cent and Hyndburn by five per cent, it must be remembered that, in money terms, there is a vast difference.

We must also remember that the county council have increased council tax by 47 per cent over the last five years, or £273 and now another eight per cent (£46).

They are taking the mickey out of the people of Hyndburn.

JOHN FARRER, Mallard Place, Oswaldtwistle.