AS an 82-year-old Honorary Member of Westhoughton Cricket Club, I think I have a right to have my say.

I have gone to WCC for over 40 years, and only stopped because of ill health. I have spent many happy hours and made lots of good friends, and the atmosphere was second to none. I have watched little lads grow to men who love their cricket ground. I don't know the committee now, but I am sure the people who are doing this are not Westhoughton born and bred.

It is sacrilege to think of selling it when it was home to the Tyldesley brothers, Dick Pollard, Farrimond (England players), and last but not least Mike Watkinson, who has played for England and for years at Lancashire, and is now in charge of Lancashire (well done).

There are people's ashes scattered on the ground as well, so it makes it hallowed ground. It is also more than 100 years old. It was started by Dr R Acker and some of his fellow business pals. Where would you find another place? It is an ideal place.So please come into the open and tell us the truth about selling. We are not the country goblins you think we are, so come on all you born and bred (Kew Yeds) and let them who are not, sell their own property to help Westhoughton Cricket Club if they are so keen to keep it, but not at Hart Common. Stop paying for expensive pros. Be at the bottom of the league for a few years, and use our own lads, and in time it will pay off.

Have we not enough houses, we used to be a village, and now we have too many houses.

Mrs G Littler

Park Road

Westhoughton