AS pantomime season begins, how appropriate it was to see the new motorway service station in Darwen, signposted as 'Blackburn Services!' Once again, the Cinderella town of Darwen has been invited to scrub the floors, literally, while its ugly sister flashes her cheesy smile to passing motorists.

Already greedy for any attention to help achieve city status, how pleased Blackburn will be to be called a 'primary destination!' But it will take more than having its very own service station and being 'the Tart with the Art' to help sway the next Prince Charming that comes along to vote for her!

For Darwen, it has been a spiral of decline ever since Blackburn got its grubby hands on our mayoral chain and banished us to a life of subservience.

A once-thriving little town, proud and prosperous, it once had a full range of 'real' shops, not just dozens of takeaways (who gave planning permission for those, I wonder)? It was organised and ran its public services well for the good of the people of Darwen.

I fear there will be no fairy godmother to wave a magic wand in our direction and improve our lot. As for Blackburn, it does not matter how often they try on the glass slipper, they are no city now and they never will be!

JOHN WILCOCK, Perry Street, Darwen.