I AM writing to you in response to Brian Derbyshire's letter "A Christian effort could be worthwhile" (January 17).

I agree wholeheartedly with Brian's comments.

In my early teenage years I was a neighbour of Brian, also playing darts for Hammond Street Mission.

I felt, and still feel, that children from an early age need a focus to occupy their time and energy, whether this focus centres on the church making itself more available and fashionable to young people remains to be seen.

I would like to see the church make more of an effort in setting up facilities for young people, such as youth clubs and activity centres, to help build up responsibility for their behaviour.

I do feel that in society overall, we have lost many of our old fashioned values, that in my experience being involved in church orientated activities helped me take on board.

Mr R Shuttleworth Clough Fold Westhoughton