FOR the people of Burnley, it seems to be one thing after another. Not only does the County Council want to build on Lower Towneley playing fields, but now it also wants to close three libraries, saying people can use the new library at the Sixth Form Centre down Barden Lane.

Picture the hordes of pensioners and little kids traipsing off to the new library on a wet winter's afternoon in the dark.

Of course, if they get knocked down or catch pneumonia, they can go to hospital in Blackburn. What a fine job our councillors have made of defending vulnerable people in Burnley.

Local peoples' needs and wishes have been ignored and small communities are left with boarded-up shops, no doctor and no bus service.

Meanwhile, phone masts are put up and residents are told "no planning permission is needed". Unfortunately, Robin Hood isn't going to turn up and put an end to all the unfairness and chase away our "elected unrepresentatives."

But there are things we can do about it all for ourselves.

To protest against Lancashire County Council's Compulsory Purchase Order of the land at Towneley, write before December 3 to: Keith Johnson, School Assets Team, Room 11, Lower Ground Floor, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, Co Durham DL3 9BG.

To protest about the planned library closures write to Councillor Terry Burns, 6 Oakwood Close, Burnley B10 2DY.

To find out more about this Sustainable Communities Bill, come to the "Power to the People" gathering which Friends of the Earth and Together Against Masts are holding on December 2 at Central Methodist Hall from 1.30pm to 5pm.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

AVRIL HESSON, Co-ordinator, Burnley Friends of the Earth.