COUNCILLOR George Slynn, leader of Hyndburn Council and as a county councillor, chairman of Lancashire's planning, industrial development and tourism committee, wants us to judge him on his council's successes on crime, housing and environment.

I have absolutely no problem in giving him an answer.

Crime: Soon dealt with. We should congratulate the police for any reduction. Crime would have gone down no matter which political party was in charge and this matter should not be hijacked by politicians at election time.

Housing: The council has no money the last time I heard. Perhaps it would be better to spend some of the £6.1 million Mr Slynn has earmarked for his own new ivory tower for councillors and cronies - better known as the distant Accrington Globe Centre.

Environment: Just look at all the litter - a real attraction for potential new investors, what!

Tourism: We all know about the dreaded Official Hyndburn Map with the missing village etc - say no more. Industrial Development: What about the haulage firm CSH, of Great Harwood, leaving the town, and taking 50 jobs with them, for no other reason than Slynn's dreadful local road infrastructure?

I am standing as an independent candidate and poor old George doesn't know whether to stick or twist. He just can't handle it. He goes on mainly about national and party dogma whereas I, being a free spirit, just talk about the things that really matter - local issues.

Great Harwood, as well as the other satellite towns around Hyndburn, should have its own budget and look after its own affairs. That includes reopening all our local town halls. All council tax should not go into one big pot for Coun Slynn and his cronies to spend on their own fantasies.

What about also using some of the £6.1 million, plus lottery money and sponsorship from private businesses, in providing all-weather floodlit playing surfaces to give our youth some good leisure and sporting facilities? It will also help to keep them off the streets and so achieve a real reduction in crime.

ADRIAN SHURMER, Lyndon Avenue, Great Harwood.

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