It is good to see that the council is cracking down on the school-aged litter louts who persistantly litter our pavements with an abundance of chip papers, crisp packets, cans and bottles, and enough left-over food to feed a pied piper's army of rats and mice.

If a £50 fine is the only way to get the message across that dropping litter is offensive and costly, then so be it.

Sadly though, there are too many obedient parents who will be manipulated by the young offenders into paying their fines.

Sensible parents will make sure that any fines incurred by their offsprings will be duly paid by their offspring.

Only then will lessons be learned.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove

Bolton