IN response to the headline What a jolly waste’ (LT, November 15). The story highlighted the figure of £23,000 but having spoken to councillors and officials it is evident this figure is inaccurate and untrue.

The story claims the trip to Blackpool was entirely funded by taxpayers. This is not the case as the project also involved other agencies.

The 80 people involved were volunteers who gave up their time and money to attend and made a valuable contribution.

Many volunteers may now be discouraged from taking part in other voluntary incentives due to this kind of media reporting.

The event was very well organised with volunteers learning many new skills and also community cohesion that will benefit our community as a whole.

Whilst in theory the idea of holding the event at a local school is good it is somewhat short-sighted as a well organised themed event like this would not fit into the atmosphere of a small classroom.

Taking into account the history of local and national government expenditure ,which runs into hundreds of thousands of pounds, surely that king of lavish expenditure is more questionable than a small project aimed at helping the community.

Would it not be better if the Lancashire Telegraph looked at the flip side of the coin and focused on all the good that came out of this event.

It seems there is an eagerness to bring to the forefront negative issues, in this case a project beneficial to the community has been twisted and distorted.

YUSUF ADAM, June Street, Blackburn.