AT a time when most people would be taking life easy, Bolton pensioners Betty and Albert Aldred fill their days helping others.

And today they get an official "thank you" for being such good neighbours -- courtesy of the Bolton Evening News' Bouquet of the Week.

Nominating them, neighbour Sylvia Myles wrote: "They are a wonderful couple who just seem to go through life helping people.

"Albert is 82 years old and every day, without fail, he goes to the papershop and brings newspapers back for a couple of neighbours.

"Betty is everybody's mum, nan and friend rolled into one. She bakes and takes pasties and pies round to various people. At Christmas, she made 10 Christmas cakes and gave them away as gifts. She also knits for different people.

"I have a sister who is 56 and has Downs Syndome. When we go out, Betty will sit in for us, and believe me, these times are precious to my husband John and myself.

"When we go on holiday, Betty and Albert will come into our house every day to feed our cat, put the lights on and pick up mail -- they are absolutely wonderful.

"Later this month it is their golden wedding anniversary and I thought it would be lovely to let them know how much they are thought of."

Betty and Albert were delighted to be on the receiving end of such neighbourliness, and loved the flowers which came courtesy of Caroline Ward's flower and gift delivery service (0800-289-335).

If you know local deserving people, write with their details (including their daytime phone number) to: BOUQUET OF THE WEEK, Angela Kelly, Features Dept, Bolton Evening News, Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1DE.