MR J Walkden (Letters, September 26) states that "Darwen is filthy apart from the Circus." What nonsense!

The vast majority of streets in Dawen are clean. In my opinion, the street cleaners and dust-binmen do an excellent job. Please remember that the Council does not drop rubbish, but that a small minority of people spoil it for others.

Perhaps Mr Walkden can send me or his local councillors a list on exactly where the Council 'wastes its money.' We would only be too happy to cut out alleged "waste."

Over the last three years, Blackburn Council has cut £1.9million off its budget because of Government restrictions. The reason the Council Tax has risen is because the Tory Government has cut the grant to Blackburn Council by £2.1million over the same period. Taxpayers make up the difference.

No doubt, Mr Walkden will blame the Labour Party for these government cutbacks. However, he must be in a very small minority as, here in Darwen, the Tories have no councillors whatsoever for the first time since anyone can remember.

People are not daft and they do blame this appalling Tory Government.

COUN DAVE SMITH, Sunnyhurst Ward, Avondale Road, Darwen.

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