I WAS very sorry to learn that Blackburn did not get the city status it deserves.

Blackburn is a cathedral town of Lancashire, with a population of 140,000 people; the second largest town in Lancashire after Blackpool and is the 39th-largest town in England outside London.

Blackburn is larger than the cities of Chester, Lincoln, Wakefield, Ripon, Norwich and Preston in terms of population.

The completion of the M65 motorway linking it to the M61 and M6 will have put Blackburn on the map.

Blackburn town centre is one of the best in the North, with its shopping centre, the second-largest indoor markets in the North and the Asian shopping area of Whalley Range and also the Cathedral, Museum, Library, King George's Hall, the Ice Arena, Waves water fun pool and, above all, one of the biggest football clubs in England, can attract thousands of visitors to the town daily.

Blackburn needs an international hotel, some more superstores and multiplex cinemas and needs to complete the refurbishment of the shopping centre in Lord Square and the link of Barbara Castle Way to the M65 at Whitebirk.

If you look at Preston, it has advanced over the years because of the M6 motorway and the West Coast railway gave it the edge over Blackburn.

So, come on, Blackburn council and Jack Straw MP be positive -- Blackburn can become a city.

M DANNY, Wilson Street, Kirklees, Yorkshire.