THANKS once again for the interesting opinion expressed by your inimitable John Blunt in his column regarding the public art scheme at Blackburn Cathedral (LET, April 19).

We realise that Mr Blunt is not a supporter of public art, not, it would seem, environmental works that improve the appearance of the borough in general. But I think I must point out a flaw in his opinion piece that blows his argument to pieces.

Mr Blunt refers to the work being funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council. While not entirely incorrect, what he should have added was that the £100,000 towards the Cathedral redevelopment will be provided from the council's town centre action plan, which is entirely funded from the European regional development fund -- all £2.5 million of it.

Mr Blunt seems concerned that this money could not be directed at underused and unsuitable elderly people's homes that were closed in the borough several months ago.

While that is true, this money from Europe could not be used to keep those under-utilised facilities open, modernise them or maintain their staffing levels, as this money was awarded to the council, by Europe, for the town centre action plan and must be used for this regeneration programme. If the council redirected these funds to other areas, then it would be acting totally irresponsibly, not to mention illegally, and Blackburn would see this money taken away, its name tarnished and future chances of securing further funding wiped out. But surely Mr Blunt wasn't suggesting the council should do that?

When the three year plan to regenerate Blackburn town centre is complete, not only will we have a centre which attracts more visitors to the town than any other in the county, we will have helped to attract investors who will have created jobs for our local people, facilities for their leisure time, and new outlets for them to shop in. Oh, yes -- and no doubt extra advertising revenue for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

What a pity Mr Blunt could not be bothered to spend the two minutes it would have taken to research this point before spouting off again in his own unique way.

I am sure our press officers at the council would be happy to provide Mr Blunt with any answers to any questions he may have just as they do for the other staff on your paper. But then again this might enable him to provide an educated opinion piece, and that would never do, would it?

COUNCILLOR ANDY KAY, Chairman of Regeneration, Blackburn with Darwen Council.