I greet the news regarding a multi-million pound town centre facility for the youth of Blackburn (what about Darwen?) with mixed feelings.

The plans are indeed marvellous and I hope the centre will be appreciated.

Why mixed feelings? Well I hope that such a colossal project will not be to the detriment of all those small voluntary groups who have served the town well over many years.

Blackburn Sea Cadets is one such group.

They were formed over 50 years ago and are not a pre- service organisation, nor are they funded by the Ministry of Defence.

For one reason or another (never by choice), they have moved in and out of seven headquarters. Half of what is projected to be the annual input into the New Youth Centre (£400,000) would have seen the cadets suitably housed.

They were told that if they changed the ‘temporary’ status of their planned new building to a brick built structure, planning permission would be a mere formality.

Four or five months later they are still waiting and paying £100 weekly for rented accomm-odation.

A real drain on finances, but who cares? Obstacles are continually being found to thwart the plans.

The new design will cost £30,000 more than the original plans. A lot of money for a voluntary group to find on top of the £100,000 which has already been raised.

Will they receive any help from the council? I hope so, but I doubt it.

Come on, Blackburn Council, get these youngsters and their instructors into suitable premises double quick. Stop messing them about.

E M Eastham, Milton Close, Darwen.