AFTER recently returning to Australia following a holiday in Burnley, I have to say what I thought of the place after not living there for nearly 12 years.

Burnley was once destined to become the jewel in Lancashire's crown, being the biggest cotton town in the world. What a town it used to be -- everyone was so friendly, we all seemed to know each other and we all seemed to keep the place clean and tidy and made it a place you were proud of.

But as I drove into Burnley for the first time in all these years, I couldn't believe my eyes. The town was so dirty everywhere we looked. All we could see were security lights and cameras on the houses.

What has become of this once great town? How can this town expect tourists to visit. Maybe the brochures should read: "Visit Burnley, the place to be, but bring your brush and shovel."

After speaking to relatives and being informed of the amount of council tax the people of Burnley pay, I wondered what the council is doing with the money. They are certainly not spending it on the town.

While I was there, my 78-year-old mother had a fall in the Rosegrove area. Fortunately, I was with her and she escaped with a cut to her leg. Looking at why she fell, I saw the state of the footpaths. Burnley Council should be ashamed. They have better footpaths in Third World countries.

Although I enjoyed my stay with family and friends and loved the walks in the countryside every morning, I feel I could never recommend Burnley to anyone for a holiday -- not until the place is cleaned up anyway.

TERRY DUGDALE, Australia.