IWAS appalled by Councillor Ashley Whalley's allegation (LET, August 16) that my husband was responsible for delaying the consultation process into the closure of Church Street in Blackburn.

As a member of the Chamber of Trade Church Street Sub Committee, he worked tirelessly to represent, with others, the democratic policy of the Chamber as well as expressing the views of Blackburn's shopping public.

I hope that all those people he sought to protect against the Church Street folly will now stand up and condemn this grossly offensive allegation.

PAULINE STONE, Fleming Square, Blackburn.