WE wish Bolton Council success as it makes a fresh attempt to secure government cash to help tackle prostitution in the town.

The last time the council tried to do this the Home Office turned the bid down, claiming there was a lack of detail about how the effectiveness of the project would be measured with data analysis.

This decision no doubt made sense in the arcane world of public finance, but was probably less understandable to the innocent residents and business owners in the Haulgh who have to live with the problems caused by "red light" girls, pimps and customers.

It meant that £95,000 did not become available to fund detailed research into the most effective ways of tackling prostitution.

Cllr Frank White, the council's cabinet member for community safety and social inclusion, was angered by the decision but tells us tonight that the council will try again.

We suggest that somebody in the town hall devotes some time to understanding the Home Office's measurement criteria and makes sure they are met when when a new bid for cash is made.

And perhaps some thought should be given to designing a cover for the bid document which would make the bureaucrats sit up and take notice.

A picture of 17-year-old Carly Bateman would do.

Carly, by all accounts a spirited and independently-minded girl, was on drugs and worked as a prostitute.

Her career, if you can call it that, came to an end when she was murdered and dumped naked in an alley at the back of Crawford Avenue.

This is the grim reality which shows that Bolton has a real problem which needs to be tackled with all the resources available.

We presume that our three Labour MPs -- Brian Iddon, Ruth Kelly and David Crausby -- will explore the possibility of cash help with as many Home Office mandarins as they can find.

Here in Bolton, there needs to be a campaign which co-ordinates the efforts of the council, the police, the health authorities and the long-suffering residents.

Prostitution is not going to go away -- how long will it be before Bolton sees European-style designated areas, licences and health checks?