IAM in total agreement with Mr F Crompton's remarks (Letters, July 24) about Blacksnape playground. I think more than a lick of paint is needed.

In fact, it is in a worse state now than when I played there as a child. At least then there were two roundabouts.

It's not long ago that the last remaining roundabout was removed, along with the big lump of rusty old metal that was anchoring it down.

The council only seems to spend money in Darwen on road narrowing schemes (not repairs/resurfacing), daft islands that take up half the road or speed bumps.

Couldn't the money spent on the useless 'monument' outside Darwen market have been put to much better use -- such as improving playgrounds?

L NICHOLSON (Mrs), Cloister Drive, Darwen.