LITTER, rubbish, filth and grime -- eyesores like these are a common sight in Bolton.

Our streets are used as dumping grounds, our buildings are covered with graffiti and our pavements are flecked with sticky-gum.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

Today the Bolton Evening News launches a new campaign to clean up the town and to make it a better place to live, work and shop. A place to be proud of. That is why we are calling our campaign Pride of Bolton because its image will only change for the better if we pull together and show some community spirit.

This summer, the eyes of the world will be on the north west, and Bolton, as thousands of visitors come to watch the Commonwealth Games.

And we want to create an impression that we care about the town where we live and work.

Our campaign already has the support of MPs, councillors, church leaders, business people and the police. Now we want you to play your part.

Bolton already has much to be proud of.

We have a vibrant town centre and a Premiership football club. We will be a venue for the Commonwealth Games and are trying to get permission to call our home a city.

But we will only continue to prosper if each of us takes on some responsibility. That means looking after our neighbours, keeping our streets tidy, joining community projects and helping the police fight crime.

We cannot leave everything to our civic leaders. We have to start doing things for ourselves and for each other.

We need to have pride.

Boltonians like Alma Cooper of the Merton Estate, Deane, are appalled by some of the sights they see near their homes every day.

She said: "I was born in this area but I don't feel proud of it any more because it's such a mess. I feel ashamed of inviting my friends here.

"Some people dump their rubbish in the gardens of empty houses and the streets are full of litter. It's shameful. Most people try to keep their own homes tidy but there doesn't seem much point when everywhere else is a mess."

Another resident who cares about his neighbourhood is 79-year-old George Brown of Farnworth.

He said: "Not a month goes by without the Bolton Evening News printing an article or a letter about Bolton's litter problem. It is too easy to blame the council for the problem, although I sometimes feel they could do a better job of cleaning up.

"The culprits are clearly the litter louts. People need to show more pride in their community."

So now it's over to you. Can you play your part and help solve some of Bolton's problems? We want to help rebuild the sense of community but we need your help.