I REFER to the letter from June Ellison, Cyprus Street, Darwen (June 12) where she states that my figures showing Labour gaining more votes than the Conservatives and Lib Dems in Darwen don't add up.

My figures do indeed add up because I took them from the following wards: Earcroft, Marsh House, Sudell, Sunnyhurst and Fernhurst.

I didn't include North Turton and Tockholes as the vast majority of this ward has a Bolton postcode and areas such as Chapeltown, Hawkshaw, Belmont and Edgworth cannot really be classes as being in Darwen.

Thee parts of the borough (in Turton) have a proud tradition of their own and many of its residents have always tended to look towards Bolton rather than Blackburn with Darwen for work, education, services etc.

By excluding Fernhurst ward, the majority of which is seen to be in Darwen, eg Lower Darwen and Oakdale estate, Mrs Ellison ignores an important part of our town.

COUNCILLOR DAVE SMITH (Sunnyhurst Ward).