REFERRING to L Bufton's remarks (Letters, October 11) about the canal being a killer, I am afraid I do not entirely agree.

Although it is very sad that youngsters have drowned while playing, surely, the biggest part of the blame must go to the parents.

What are they doing while their children are allowed to roam away from their front doors?

I, too, have grandchildren who live in the same area of Blackburn and although they are aged seven and five, under no circumstances are they even allowed to cross the road without their mother or father watching them, let alone go outside the gate.

You may think they are over-protective parents but, as they say, they only have them for such a short while and want to keep them safe.

Surely, it is up to the parents to know where their offspring are at all times.

There are far worse dangers for children lurking about - such as child molesters, rapists and abductors. Need I say more?

I JOINSON, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

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