SIR, I FEEL I must reply to Lesley Richards' comments in last week's Journal.

Tyldesley has been in decline since the First World War. It has had spells when the recession has slowed and periods when there has been large investment in the town. It would take a couple of hundred pages to list the causes of where we are today.

Loss of pits, mills, foundry, bleach works, dairies, sewing factories just to name a few.

The town centre lost its gas and electric showrooms, the weekly job centre at the Methodist church, all places you had to turn up to pay bills, sign on and do a little shopping on your way home. Now it's internet, direct debit and overseas call centres.

Tyldesley has become a commuter town with high property prices and even the night economy is in decline as the supermarkets sell alcohol.

In recent years Tyldesley County and St George's primary schools relocated out of the town centre. Many days barely a handful of pedestrians are to be seen.

Surviving business in the town are the die-hards with remaining capital tied-up in buildings. They are self-employed, many earning less than minimum pay and no money for repairs or refurbishment.

Health and Safety, disability discrimination and new licensing laws have added to the burden and to follow this summer required new signs at rip-off prices for no smoking regulations.

I complained about a month ago and council officials took photographs of the dilapidation, take-aways with derelict, dirty upper floors. Christmas decorations still fastened to walls, shops not painted for 40 years...

The Chamber of Trade works hard within the township forum but out of six councillors only two (one from either party) pull their weight.

When only the supermarkets remain and the product range diminishes, which happens when they have a stranglehold, where will people shop then - the internet?

Michael Norris, Frank's Cafe, Chairman Tyldesley & District Chamber of Trade