FURTHER to my letters (LET, Aug 25 and Sept 25) about the lack of care provided for old people in Burnley, my mother died on Friday, October 1 at 6.30pm.

After four years of nursing her at home, I was at the end of my tether and almost had to consider a nursing home for her. I am so glad I did not because she died at home while I held her hand.

To watch my lovely mother slip away from the pain and discomfort right at the end of her life was a relief beyond description. To be able to give her comfort until the very last breath was a real privilege.

She was an avid Telegraph reader for 80 years. Even though she did not communicate for some 10 years she still held the paper and looked at it - even if it was upside down!

She did not read the Telegraph - she digested it. Every article and advert, every birth, marriage and death. Every job was considered suitable for someone she knew.

She loved the paper and could not wait for it to come out. She would stand on the Boulevard or near the White Bull and get a copy as soon as the vendor got his delivery.

She was a weaver in Blackburn for years and then a domestic at Queen's Park Hospital. Blackburn was her home town and she lived there for 77 years.

Thank you for bringing attention to the plight of the elderly here in Burnley.

MICHELLE PICKERING (Mrs), Olympia Street, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.