COUNCILLOR Andy Kay states that he would like to retain a timepiece in King William Street, Blackburn, in order to preserve our heritage. I am not sure why.

Most of Blackburn town centre was demolished some years ago in the name of progress and then sold off. Now they need a private investor to do up the fading town centre and want to attract large retailers.

This will further threaten smaller retailers and eventually reduce choice. And what identity will it have?

This bulldozing approach is now being taken to Darwen.

They are demolishing large areas of traditional stone housing stock and not replacing them with the same.

The three-day market is to be demolished without a promise of replacement and they are proposing to demolish the 1930s leisure centre, the Victorian model building and other buildings of character in that area for a new road, all in the name of progress.

Towns such as Clitheroe and Skipton have retained their traditional buildings and layout of their town centre.

New buildings have been done in sympathetic architecturally style and building materials, old buildings have been converted for new purposes wherever possible, they have not allowed big style retailers buildings and seem to cope with traffic.

Retaining a town's character, heritage and road systems without detriment to the area, makes it popular with locals and visitors. Preserved local businesses allow a much more interesting choice and lively economy.

If Coun Kay wants to preserve our heritage, remember that Blackburn regrets some of its past decisions. The council sees Darwen as a sidekick, so people of Darwen take note once the council have kicked your town to the ground, it is gone!

PATRICIA COOPER, Waterside Terrace, Waterside, Darwen.