Given the appalling tragedy at a Russian air show at the weekend I would have thought that low altitude manoeuvres by three press helicopters over housing estates in Horwich to be crass in the extreme. Yet for three hours on Saturday (July 27) that is exactly what has happened here.

No doubt the Commonwealth Games mountain bike events are of such momentous importance that they justify unacceptable risk, noise and inconvenience to residents on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It was the same yesterday.

I've tried complaining. The Police, BBC, Commonwealth Games, et al have effectively ring fenced themselves and blame each other. The CAA is shut for the weekend! What's refreshing is that everyone I talk to wishes me well albeit with a resigned air; they already know that it's a forlorn hope.

Let us be frank, for all the hype the Games are a third rate event of little interest to the rest of the world. They have been subsidised to a disgraceful degree and their effect on the North West will be fleeting.

You could argue that it's the same with my helicopters!

R B Long

Green Lane

Horwich