NO one was questioning Leslie Burrows's pride in Mill Hill (Letters, November 29).

I was attempting to bring his attention to the fact that Blackburn with Darwen Council have nominated his ward as among the most deprived in the country, which is contrary to his expressed opinion.

Has Mill Hill been nominated out of deprivational need or for political reasons, the political side being that Labour lost one of its councillors to the Lib Dems in the last election and the remaining two are members of the 'cabinet.'

Could it be Labour is running scared? As a nominated ward, this brings £300,000-plus of government aid for youth facilities.

Mr Burrows accepts the fact that Mill Hill is a rundown area and concurs with his own Councillor Doherty that a recreational centre is needed for the youth and that government money for rundown areas should go to Mill Hill for this facility.

You cannot have it both ways.

Mill Hill is jumping the queue over the other areas in more chronic deprivation. Why?

WALT MEADOWS, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.