I AM compelled to write in response to R B Long's letter in Tuesday, July 30.

Firstly it was not a Russian airshow, it was held in the Ukraine and, secondly, the quality of air traffic control in this area is of a much higher standard. Witness the local low level flying from Barton and regular police and private helicopter flying. As for his remarks that the Commonwealth Games are a third rate event, I would think that countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other Commonwealth

nations would tend to disagree. The news channels of CNN and NCB, being US based, have featured reports of the games.

Although I do not live in Horwich, I would have been very happy as a resident of Harwood to have had the events in the Harwood, Affetside and Ainsworth areas.

The way that many competitors and south of England based commentators and reporters have enthused about the beauty of the Rivington area can only project the image to the the rest of Britain and the world that we in the North west and particularly Bolton have such a wealth of magnificent scenery on our doorsteps. Add to this a fantastic regional airport and the spinoffs could be fantastic in that more tourists will visit our area and companies could be persuaded to set up in this area, realising that their lifestyle could be better working and living in this area.

The Commonwealth Games have shown that we in the North-west can hold our head up high and that, contrary to the opinions of those in Westminster, London and the south east are not the only places in Britain where we are ready to welcome commerce and tourism.

Peter K Wilkinson

Saunton Avenue

Harwood, Bolton