SPARE a thought for BT and Superman. Privatised British Telecom, which used to be owned by all of us, is reported to be exercised by its obligation to maintain 70,000 loss-making kiosks in the mobile phone era.

Mild-mannered Clark Kent, diffident journalist on the Daily Planet, might have difficulty in future finding somewhere to turn himself into the man of steel before flying off to zap the bad guys.

BT seems to be gearing itself up for an assault on these familiar pieces of "street furniture" - aware that its current obligation to maintain the boxes is a burden to the shareholders now that communications technology has advanced so remarkably.

As somebody who can remember pushing buttons A and B in draughty cubicles - conscious of the calls of nature answered by passing drunks - I am tempted to wax lyrical about these symbols of a past heritage.

Unfortunately, I cannot really bemoan their passing in areas where there are plenty of other communication alternatives.

My memories from the time I was a young reporter on the road usually involve queues of exasperated people making it clear that their call was much more important than the hot news story I was dictating to the copy typist back in the office.

On one occasion, a red-faced chap went round the kiosk tapping a threepenny bit on the windows before opening the door to interrupt my flow of golden words by shouting "you people should have a phone of your own!"

Now it has come to pass for journalists and most other folk, I have to agree that there must be plenty of public telephones in Bolton and elsewhere which do not justify the annual maintenance cost - about £2,000, apparently.

I just hope any proposed cull is organised properly with the correct amount of meaningful local consultation.

While I am on this subject, I often wonder about the internet kiosks dotted around town which allow citizens to go on-line to access various Bolton Council services.

Does anybody ever use them?

I have yet to see anybody there when I pass one in Victoria Square or another near Canon Slade School, Bradshaw.

Maybe this is a forward-thinking initiative which has taken the council into the brave new world of modern communications.

Then again, the service might need another blast of publicity.

I would like to return to a favourite theme - the future use of the famous Odeon cinema building in Ashburner Street. A sign has appeared to say offers are being invited for "let or sale"."

I have been suggesting for some while now that the building, which appears to be solidly constructed, could be converted into a large-scale live music/arts venue - a facility sadly lacking in a progressive town with a university and a realistic ambition to become a city.

But so so far there has been a deafening silence from the council and elsewhere.