I FIND Raymond Goldstone's responses (Letters, August 28) to my earlier remarks both patronising and insulting.

Does he seriously think that Blackburn town centre currently matches up to the likes of Bolton, Manchester, or even Preston?

It seems that every time someone raises the issue of real improvement in either Your Letters or the political arena, Mr Goldstone dismisses them as 'know nothings' or ignorant of exactly what's on offer.

This sort of attitude reminds me of the Madhatter's Tea Party -- constructively criticise and it's 'off with your head,' or maybe, like the doormouse, Mr Goldstone and friends have simply fallen asleep, awakening to find that time has passed them by, along with Blackburn centre.

Whatever the merits of Blackburn market -- and I shop there every week, Mr Goldstone -- no other person I know believes it is a substitute for a top fashion store such as Monsoon; a quality bookstore such as Waterstones, a renowned local wine merchants such as Byrne Brothers, or an excellent gift shop such as Past Times. Our competitors' town centres all have these and people from Blackburn who, like me, would much prefer to stay in Blackburn to shop, have no option but to go out of town.

As I understand it, there are about half a million people in East Lancashire, including plenty of people with money as well as those without, but there isn't a decent shopping centre.

It is worth remembering that Sheffield is approximately the same size as East Lancs yet it manages to sustain a good city centre shopping provision alongside Meadowhall, its nationally-renowned out-of-town shopping facility.

While I realise only too well that no developer will construct a Meadowhall in Blackburn, I do believe with the population size of East Lancashire that Blackburn town centre could definitely, with the right investment, be turned into as good a facility for our region as that enjoyed by Sheffield shoppers.

Blackburn market ought to have a unique role in such a development, but it seems that Mr Goldstone, on behalf of the market traders, is afraid of moving with the times. Small town mentality breeds small town ambition -- Blackburn deserves better.

JUDITH MOSS, Columbia Way, Blackburn.