I READ with interest today that, in a "Quality of Life" survey, Bolton was ranked just 321st out of 367 local authorities nationwide.

No surprise. What did make me raise an eyebrow, though, was the fact that Councillor Howarth, the supposed leader of Bolton Council, dismissed the report in such an offhand manner. I don't know which area of Bolton he lives in, he lists his address in "Know Your Councillor" as "care of the Town Hall", but I do know that the areas in which my family and I live ARE troubled by crime.

Surveys such as this "Quality Of Life" report are a good insight into what the local residents think about the areas in which they live, and also help outsiders build up a picture of our town.

It's about time our failing Labour Council got its finger on the pulse of modern life, if it can be bothered to look for it, or else we could find ourselves, once again, missing out on the chance of city status.

Robert Tyler

Caldbeck Drive

Farnworth, Bolton