AS the sculptor responsible for the "monstrosity" at the side of the M65 Eccleshill roundabout, I would like to set the record straight. I find it incredible that Councillor Sheila Williams should comment so savagely on something she has never come to see.

I am sure Sheila is a lovely woman. I bet she kisses babies and everything. But I am convinced that, in politics, as in life, the first rule must be, know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.

As far as a left-wing conspiracy goes, the three wards surrounding the site of the sculpture voted in Labour councillors and they were the representatives on the committee. I suggest that if anyone else wants to represent the local community, then they get themselves elected.

The money for the sculpture came from the single regeneration budget, which is not council tax money, but a grant from central government which could not be used locally for any other purpose.

It won't be long now before the sculpture is complete but for those who can't wait, I promise that, on this sculpture, it will be neither the Blunt end nor the Williams that greets visitors to Blackburn with Darwen.

THOMPSON DAGNALL, South Road, Bretherton, Preston.

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