WELL said, Martin Mansell! In the past week, I have travelled to Bradford and Manchester to see live rock music.

I asked one band why they don't come to Bolton and they said: "We'd love to, but there isn't anywhere suitable to play."

The soon-to-be-vacated Mecca Bingo Hall on Ashburner Street would be an ideal place to host live music - it is close to the bus station, and is already designed to hold large numbers of people.

Manchester has the Academy (three halls), the Apollo, The Phoenix, The MEN Arena, the Bridgewater Hall, the Night & Day cafe and many more. What has Bolton got? The Albert Halls - when there's not a show on. How can Bolton ever hope to get city status without a dedicated music venue?

Karen Francis

Stanley Close

Westhoughton