THE Government report on the future of council housing - which is backed by Ruth Kelly - is seriously flawed. It is catastrophically wrong to suggest means-testing tenants to decide whether or not they should be allowed to stay in their council homes.

To create estates on which only those on poverty-line incomes are forced to live would, and has, created ghettos.

Council housing should be a legitimate choice for anyone wanting to live in affordable rented accommodation. Council housing is unique in so far as it protects tenants from unscrupulous landlords who charge exorbitant rents for inadequate accommodation. It is unique, too, because the landlord -the council - is accountable to the tenants.

Council housing is the way forward for many people. The private market is failing the majority of people who want decent affordable and secure accommodation, with accountable landlords.

Bolton Council and Bolton at Home are doing a very good job through involving the residents.

Neighbourhood panels, for example, get annual funding - mainly from the rents - for improving estates. These panels, made up from residents, meet every few weeks with Bolton at Home representatives, local councillors, and others, to discuss ways to improve estates and the lives of people who live on them.

You couldn't have this without long-term tenants who are willing to give their time and energy, and, of course, far-sighted councils like Bolton, and groups such as Bolton at Home.

Ruth Kelly should perhaps look nearer to home, instead of listening to people who know nothing about council estates, or the people who live there.

Brian Derbyshire Ribchester Grove Bolton