ON Monday, October 7, I had dropped my car off for a repair and had to wait for an hour.

So, to pass the time, I decided to have a walk into Bolton centre. I hadn't been in there for quite a while.

Shock! Horror! What has happened to our once great town? It looked like Fleetwood in winter. There were more pigeons than people.

The place was an utter disgrace, with litter and bubblegum everywhere, and where were all the shoppers? Gone to a town with shops with glass windows maybe -- every other shop seemed to have windows boarded. Are the rents that high? What has Bolton Council been doing with our money?

Walking back to the car was even worse. I took Trinity Street. Even the car drivers can't wait to get out of Bolton, deliberately ignoring the 3ft road sign that says "only buses and taxis". Have the police given up as well?

When visiting Bury (just up the road from me, here in Bolton) I see very little litter and almost no bubblegum; shops are open, have windows, and people, in them. They even intend on keeping their public swimming baths.

How much more do the people of Bury pay their council for this splendid service?

John Brooks

Greenroyd Avenue

Bolton