YOU are never too young to realise the importance of history, it seems.

Proud Boltonian Ryan Errington is calling on people to join the "no" campaign against plans to rename the borough Bolton-le-Moors.

The renaming controversy arose when deputy Labour leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Guy Harkin, said the town should get rid of its "grimy northern mill town flat cap" image.

He suggested reverting to the old Bolton-le-Moors name last used in 1830 - but his comments provoked uproar both locally and from former Boltonians from around the world.

Now the 11-year-old, of Harper Green Comprehensive School, Farnworth, has joined in, saying he felt compelled to write to the Bolton Evening News after reading of plans to change the name.

In his letter Ryan, of Pansy Road, Farnworth, writes: "What is the point of changing Bolton's name?

"It would be a real mouthful if the paper was known as the Bolton-le-Moors News.

"I think everyone should protest against this idea."

His mum Pam Errington, 38, said: "He is very traditional and was outraged when he read about Cllr Harkin's proposals.

"He is Bolton born and bred and really proud to be from here."

Ryan added: "I think it would be terrible if they changed our name - we are from Bolton and we are proud of it."