I READ with amazement the story (LET, December 4) about the group of old ladies on Elm Grove, Darwen, who have decorated the front of their houses with Christmas lights as a demonstration of their disgust at the festive lights put up in Darwen town centre.

Councillor Dave Smith commented: "We are delighted that these ladies are contributing to the Christmas spirit in Darwen by putting up decorations," and it was revealed how much the lights in Darwen had cost -- £33,000.

What I would like to know is, if the decorations put in are very clearly all old ones, how is it possible to spend £33,000?

If all this money has been spent, I would suggest next year the council get the old ladies from Elm Grove to put them up, because they did a better job on their houses than the council did in Darwen town centre.

How is it possible to get so little for so much money?

ROY DAVIES, Olive Lane, Darwen.