The big loser is Blackpool

PITY poor old Blackpool, a tired and rundown resort which need far more than TLC.

This once proud holiday town is dominated by trashy topless bars, table dancing clubs, and down at heel bed and breakfast establishments. The latter is why all political parties have given it the bum's rush, preferring instead the metropolitan delights of Birmingham and Manchester.

Blackpool was dumped on by Tessa `Nanny' Jowell and the Labour government, who gave the super casino project to Manchester when the Lancashire resort was the logical choice. (The super casino was later dumped by Gordon Brown in a desperate attempt to appease the Daily Mail).

The town is in such decline that it may be terminal. Land bought up by speculators in anticipation of the casino go-head is now abandoned. The concrete nightmare of the central area is so unattractrive that there is no way a modern generation of sophicates would holiday there.

The best thing to do would be to demolish the entire area between the Central Pier and Imperial Hotel and to start again. Blackpool cries out for modern town planning - but unfortunately, it's unlikely to happen, making this week's Tory conference the last one to be held in the town.