IIN the papers sent out with Bolton MBC's tax bill is a pamphlet carrying a message from the Greater Manchester Chief Constable. It begins: "It is with a great deal of pleasure ... "

The GM Police precept is set to rise 33.1 per cent! This may (or may not) put more policemen on the streets, but how can any business demand such a rise in the face of the current low rate of inflation? To make matters worse, the GM Fire Authority is claiming a precept rise of 22.99 per cent. It appears that pension increases of £2.7m will contribute to this unacceptably high figure. I write as a 70-year-old pensioner with a state and a company pension, each of which will increase by under two per cent from April.

Warren Bradley

(Address supplied)