A LOT of time, money and thought has gone into improving the look of East Lancashire's town centres.

Pedestrianised thoroughfares, hanging baskets and tubs of flowers have all been used to good effect to brighten up places like Blackburn town centre.

Modern sculpture like that in Church Street and more representative works of art such as the mother and child next to the bus station bring vibrancy and life to the hub of retail and commercial life of the borough.

What a pity then that many people coming into the town from the east won't remember all the good work. As they drive along Eanam all that will remain in their minds as a first impression of Blackburn town centre is the dilapidated patch of land just before Morrisons.

What was once a restful oasis of green created by Blackburn's shoe king Tommy Ball is now a crumbling, overgrown, litter-ridden eyesore that screams neglect.

Coun Mohammed Khan says two council planters have had their contents stolen and new plants have been ordered to replace them but that is only a fraction of the problem.

As anti-litter campaigners point out this patch of land "gives the false impression that the people of Blackburn don't care about their town" and has done for some time.

The council should take responsibility for ensuring it is no longer a blot on the townscape.