I AM an OAP and was born here in Burley.

As a child I was often taken into Southampton to do shopping, as it was cheaper than Bournemouth.

Although we did often go to the cinema and pantomimes in Bournemouth. Poole was then seen as, well, nothing really. Apart for a visit to Poole Park.

How it has changed over the years. Southampton is becoming more up market, Bournemouth down market and Poole well again, I am not too sure. Christchurch is being torn apart. From being a genuinely nice town, to now over-developed.

Christchurch and Bournemouth were in Hampshire, only Poole then in Dorset. Therefore the BCP Authority, is to me not quite right!

My view is that, when we had restricted opening hours. Bournemouth, for example, was not so unpleasant.

It was Tony Blair who lifted trading hours, and made Sunday, like any other. That night time, was no different to day time.

That, is fighting against nature. We are meant to be asleep during the dark hours. Not out and about, getting boozed up and on drugs.

Back then of course, the Conservatives were seen as being posh. Labour, working class.

Can you now genuinely tell the difference?

RICHARD GRANT Burley