IT is 26,000 miles or more and 40 years since I lived in Blackburn and wrote a daily column for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Recently, I returned for a long stay with my sister, who lives in Lammack.

What has happened to dear old Blackburn? What has happened to that rather ornate, but fondly-remembered, Evening Telegraph building whose imposing front office I would dash through before climbing the stone steps to the newsroom at the top?

These days, my successors must file their reports in a rather dreary-looking, box-like structure sandwiched between the Adelphi Hotel (some convivial lunchtimes spent there) and Morrisons supermarket.

And what happened to the market? To the old Thwaites Arcade? At least there are still King George's Hall and the grand town hall -- which looks a lot better for having lost its many layers of soot.

All this change must result from that day in, I think, 1960 when the chief reporter, Ronnie Coulthard, came back from covering a council meeting and announced to the newsroom in general that there was to be redevelopment of Blackburn town centre

So as I was lamenting the demise of the old town where I was born, attended school and worked, I was rather surprised when my sister said that I needn't criticise the new (to me) replacements because, apparently, the council has decided, yet again, that there will be another redevelopment. This time, I hope lessons will have been learned.

Blackburn has an enviable setting with surrounding hills and moorland. It has still friendly, warm-hearted and intelligent folk. It has still a lively local press.

Let the Blackburn of the next 40 years be a town its returning sons and daughters would be proud to acknowledge.

SHEILA RILEY, Bridgerule, Holsworthy, Devon.