IT is very pleasing to see the improvements that are being carried out in Darwen at the moment.

Coupled with the positive reactions from Darwen Music Festival and the lively music scene in the town, it appears that at long last, it is shaking off its dowdy mill town image.

However, for it to be able to compete with the quaint tourist spots such as Hebden Bridge, Darwen still needs a bit of help.

I would suggest consideration is given to the creation of the ultimate tourist attraction. This would be a mountain railway to the Jubilee Tower.

You could catch it at the Circus with various stops up Borough Road, through Bold Venture Park and over the moors to the tower where a small cafe selling light refreshments would do a roaring trade. Why stop at the tower?

The line could be extended to Tockholes and return via Sunnyhurst Woods.

You might think this is a pipe dream, but the Snowdon Railway and Blackpool Tower were once.

It would be interesting to know what other readers think about this idea.

MICHAEL FENTON (address supplied).