ILIVE in Shropshire but am Bolton born and bred.

We moved from Bolton when I was six.

I have a few fond memories of Bolton -- not the grimy town that some people call it, but a nice area. I have been back a few times and always found the place to be pleasant. I currently live 18 miles from Shrewsbury, 20 miles from Wolverhampton, and 30 miles from Birmingham -- these places aren't a patch on Bolton.

However, if you look at Birmingham and surrounding area (otherwise known as the "Black Country"), you would say that you would like to get rid of this name.

But they have sold their city as the "Black Country", and have reaped the benefits.

I see that someone has added that they wouldn't mind the name change as long as Bolton is moved away from the Greater Manchester address and has a Lancashire address. I believe that this person is right.

My mum always goes mad when people ask her where she is from ('cos she still has the accent -- after 30 years!), and she says Bolton, they say, "oh in Manchester". My mum quickly jumps on them and says, "no, LANCASHIRE".

Leave the name the same and spend the money on crime prevention.

Will Bowen

(Telford)