FURTHER to the meeting in Darwen Leisure Centre Tower Room on Monday, November 13, after due consideration, we are withdrawing our objection to the closure and demolition of the leisure centre.

Our aim was not to stir things up' but to engender a frank, honest open public debate and robust, informed polemic about the split-site decision. This, we believe, we have achieved.

We feel the vast majority of Darwen residents in the Tower Room agreed with the wisdom of our group's objection to the loss of the sports hall on the Green Street site.

However, we are now convinced that a judicial review would not be in the community's medium or long-term best interests.

Therefore, as we are for constructive investment in Darwen, although critical of the management of the consultation process, especially the split-site decision at such a late date, we believe the long-term leisure and sports needs of the community must be paramount.

With some genuine political goodwill and astute leadership, it is hoped that our elected community representatives can pro-actively and intelligently address the lack of a sports hall on the Green Street site in the not too distant future.

GEORGE J HILL, Epworth Street, Darwen and BILL STEMP, Belgrave Road, Darwen.