BOLTON rock star Badly Drawn Boy made just £1.60 in 90 minutes as a busker in London this week. So Bolton Evening News journalist Nick Jackson took his guitar to Deansgate to see if Bolton's public were any more generous.

IT was once seen as little more than begging. Buskers used to be arrested for making a racket for the sake of the price of a cup of tea.

But times have changed. Local authorities and police have adopted a more enlightened policy, welcoming buskers -- many of whom are accomplished musicians -- on to their streets to boost tourism and keep shoppers happy.

In London, Manchester, York, Chester, Edinburgh and other big cities, buskers are licensed. In the capital's Covent Garden, auditions are held to make sure buskers are up to scratch before they are allowed to perform in public.

This is now common practice in many other high-profile locations. Musicians, jugglers, mime artists, even stand-up comedians, are allotted time slots to perform in the most lucrative locations.

Thankfully, here in Bolton there is still a relaxed approach by the authorities.

I pitched up outside Marks and Spencer at noon with my guitar, microphone and battery-powered busking amp to begin my session.

It was lovely day to sing and play, with no rain or strong winds, and a hint of sunlight -- spring was definitely in the air.

With my open guitar case beside me for people to chuck their change into, I started playing.

But all sorts of variables come in to play in a situation such as this.

For instance, someone conducting market research nearby would not normally be an issue -- but as I started busking, I noticed passers-by giving her, and thus me, a very wide birth.

Then were the nerves. Ten minutes went by as I was giving it my all, and no one passing had batted an eye in my direction or put any money in my case.

Then a few people put some change in and I started to relax. "This ain't so bad," I thought.

More people chucked in some coins, and I started to revel in it. Sad, I know.

On the down side, there were people who didn't know how to react. So they just pretended they had not seen me and hurried by. On the up side, there were the mums with toddlers who were clearly fascinated by the sight and sound of a live musician.

And hats off to the pensioners and, yes, teenagers. They were among the most generous givers, clearly appreciating a live performer.

I heard one elderly woman shopper mutter to her friend as she ambled past: "This busking business -- it's part of the culture now."

Yes it is, and there are good musicians making decent a living -- several hundred pounds a week in some cases -- out of street entertainment, and long may they continue.

Me? I don't think I'll be giving up my day job, despite raising £14.59 in two hours. The money will go to Bolton's Coronary Care Appeal.

Badly Drawn Boy will not care that he made only £1.60 in London. He sells records by the lorry load -- and commuters in the capital are falling over buskers on every street corner.

But if my experience is anything to go by, he will have thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Thank you to everyone who contributed.