BOLTON has a fine legacy in its parks which attract thousands of visitors every week.

They vary in kind -- from small and interesting to rolling areas of lush parkland combined with activity spots and playing fields.

Here, we have the kind of greenery that urban areas urgently need. But, inevitably, our parks can easily become in need of a facelift, and resources are not always available.

Enter, then, caring members of our local community like the Friends of Moss Bank Park.

This newly-formed group has been helping the Council get a "grass roots" view of what can be done to improve local parks.

Members hold regular meetings, look at the park's plus and minus points, and hope to gain funding for renovation and restoration work.

Already, their positive influence has resulted in a massive litter pick, better paths' drainage and new benches. Former beauty spots like the duck pond and the English Garden are also earmarked for a return to former glories.

No-one spots problems in public areas like members of the public -- the very people who use them. And the borough's parks, with their myriad facilities, need this kindly vigilance.

Now, the Council has been so impressed with the Moss Bank Park group that they are encouraging the formation of similar groups in other areas, to look after parks there.

Taking responsibility for community focal points like parks is an excellent move in combatting vandalism and decay.

We congratulate the Friends of Moss Bank Park for their care and their commitment, and urge others to step forward to keep Bolton's pleasing parks in fine fettle for the future.

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IT is all very well making cars and roads safer for drivers, but when statistics show a dramatic rise in the number of motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians killed and injured something more needs to be done.

It is reassuring, then, to learn that the Transport Research Laboratory is also actively looking at safety for this group.

Tests on airbags and special jackets for motorcyclists, cycle lanes and even the design of cars are all being investigated to help cut these worrying figures.

We hope that this continues to be among the research priorities. The government has a duty to protect everyone on and around our roads.