Mr Pendle was under the impression a maximum of six cars could park in the rank in Market Street - but anyone taking an evening stroll through the town centre will quickly see the situation is rather different.

The rank is often full with the six (or sometimes seven at a squeeze) cabs, so others then park in Dockray Street, in the bus stop outside the library or outside Tesco Express - and no one seems to bat an eyelid or do anything to stop them.

Our letters columns in recent weeks have included a number of letters complaining about the situation, but from the licensing department, there has been not a sign of action, not a word of reply.

So taking up where town councillor Pat Howarth and residents Joe and Annette Moulding and Chris Morgan left off, Mr Pendle asks the question - what are the rules regarding taxis parking in Market Street, Colne?

Does anyone - from the town hall, the taxi drivers' association, even a councillor - know?

The issue has been a major talking point in Mr Pendle's circle for weeks (sad people, aren't we!?).

People want to know what is going on - and it would be nice to have an answer, not only for our benefit but for all those who have written letters on the subject to lay the matter to rest, or the suspicion we are all being taken for a ride will begin to fester.



MR Pendle has heard many kinds of stories which, to him at any rate, smack of an over-reaction to the success of a village, town or country in a competition.

And one of the best he has come across recently was the news the bells of City Hall in Oslo will ring out the song that won the Eurovision Song Contest for the Scandanavian country at midday every day throughout the summer.

Mr Pendle has not heard the song, so he cannot comment on its suitability for the purpose.

He is only grateful we did not follow the same course in 1967, 1969, 1976, 1981 and 1997 when Great Britain had the (mis)fortune to win the contest - just imagine Big Ben pealing out "Puppet On A String" (Sandie Shaw), "Boom Bang A Bang" (Lulu), "Save All Your Kisses For Me" (Brotherhood of Man), "Making Your Mind Up" (Bucks Fizz) or "Love Shine A Light" (Katrina and the Waves) instead of the tones we are all familiar with.

It doesn't bear thinking about, does it?