RE: Mr Brabin's letter of March 7 in which he describes Bolton as a disgrace - like a town in a developing country.

He says he is an ex-Boltonian now living at Bridgewater Square, London, and has recently visited his home town, apparently much to his dismay.

Where is Bridgewater Square?

Is it in some posh area of London?

It can't be in Brixton, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham or numerous other places in what was recently described as "the barbarous reality called London"!

Mr Brabin, while you were in Bolton how many drunken threatening beggars did you fall over? Were the roads always gridlocked? Are the Accident and Emergency wards jammed packed full with tramps and violent drunks? Did you see 30-yard long queues at every bus stop? Are commuters with glazed expressions dashing hither and thither oblivious to all around them? How many people did you see sleeping in doorways?

Come off it Mr Brabin. Ask yourself why countless numbers of people (maybe provincials like yourself) like lemmings are fleeing the capital?

Did you stop and see the fountains on Victoria Square? Can you see high hills dappled in snow from your apartment or damp basement flat? Did you have a chat with a friendly shop assistant? How about a coffee in the Market Place?

Are the people in your area of London anywhere as cheerful as the folk here? Think again. Remember, he who stares up at the stars will fall down a manhole or even a grid as we call them here.

R Litherland

Mayor Street

Bolton