I READ with disgust the story of death threats made to two council colleagues (Journal, April 13) -- namely Cllrs Smith and Bleakley.

I find it totally abhorrent that anyone could even contemplate such actions, and I am pleased the police have been called upon to investigate the matter. I can only hope, as I assume the rest of the local community does, that a speedy end will result in the apprehension of the culprits.

What I cannot and will not condone is the use of the plural Liberal Democrats and that we are using this as a tactic in a dirty tricks campaign. I have been employed as a civil servant for 22 impeccable years and to imply that I would become involved in a "dirty trick" of this nature makes me sick to the core.

I feel deeply concerned for the two councillors involved in this matter, as any form of threat is frightening in itself but to bring local politics down to this level really saddens me.

I was pleased that local people turned out to vote for me last year as I felt that it was an endorsement from them with regard to their belief in me. Since that time I have tried to give of my best for them regardless of their political persuasion and will continue to do so for as long as I am in office. If local politics is to be brought down to this level then I am glad that I can separate myself from it and just carry on in the fashion that I personally sought to achieve, and that is to stay in touch with local people and issues.

Apart from a few local media headlines recently concerning other councillors, the content of which the general public know of and the least said the better; my feelings are that we are supposed to be of a professional group acting in a similar manner for the benefit of the constituents.

This is not a party political broadcast, but my feelings of a concerned councillor who just wants to get on with the job that I was elected to do.

There are a lot of good councillors at Wigan. Please allow them to do their job without dragging local government in to the gutter. Stop the sniping and generalisations and get on with the job of taking this borough forward in a manner the electorate would expect from us.

Cllr G.LINGINGS

Hindsford ward