I READ the article about the prosperity in Beardwood, Blackburn, with just a hint of envy.

It is a sad fact that despite easy access to the Ribble Valley, Trough of Bowland and the motorway network, property prices in Hyndburn are less than their valuation of nine years ago.

Yet hardly a stone's throw away, Clitheroe and Whalley prosper along with Beardwood.

Estate agents say that it's "Location, Location, Location". Where could be nicer than Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton where beautiful country walks are on the doorstep. But instead our towns are dying.

A fully modernised terrace house with all mod cons can be found for under £30K and the council has been off loading terraced houses at little over £10K.

Yet we see no growth nor prosperity with few wanting to live here. Why? Unless or council can change this situation, the future looks bleak for all of us who have invested our lives here. As an incomer who has observed the area for over 20 years, I believe the hearts of the five or more proud, small towns that make up Hyndburn have been ripped out in favour of the amorphous mass of Accrington, though I mean to disrespect to Accrington.

Hyndburn Council has concentrated too much on itself and projects for Accrington, while the satellite towns have seen cutbacks in all services.

Urban regeneration has been sacrificed to the Globe project and new council offices while potholes appear in our roads, the parks are barely maintained and our shops close down because they can not earn a crust.

I see no movement from our council to attract new investment, bring new jobs, encourage market traders or to justify its spending. Our council leader and chief executive have presided over an unprecedented period of recession while other parts of our county prosper.

The satellite towns of Hyndburn are desperate for inward investment, new jobs to bring the prosperity that lifts opportunity for us all.

If new industry is not coming then we must ask the question why? When people want to come and live here as they do in Whalley and Clitheroe, we will know that we have got it right.

PHILIP CONGDON, Hindle Fold Lane, Great Harwood.

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