DURING the course of the last few days, judging has been taking place to find the country's cleanest city/town.

I think the bottom of the list in this contest would be Bolton, and perhaps, more specific to me, Little Lever, as it is absolutely filthy.

Over the last four or five years I have become more and more angry and embarrassed by the state of Little Lever.

The approach from Moses Gates up Hall Lane is covered in litter. In fact, at the start of the open ground, on the side of what should be a nice country park, there is the beginnings of an illegal rubbish tipping area, which is clearly visible from the road.

I believe the Government should adopt a scheme whereby criminal offenders are given community service, which would involve them spending the period of the imposed sentence picking up litter in these areas every day. After this, perhaps they would think twice before they dropped litter just where they feel like it.

I can only hope that the proposed increase in council taxes will allow money to be spent on cleaning up these areas and make Bolton and Little Lever somewhere I will still want to live in the future.

Mrs P Allen

Goodwood Close

Little Lever