I HAVE just read the letter from Tom Liggett (BEN, September 20) regarding the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, and, for the benefit of your readers, would like to put the record straight.

I trust the following points will be of interest:

There are in fact three events taking place in Bolton -- badminton at Bolton Arena, and road cycling and mountain biking at Rivington. To suggest that these events are peripheral to the Games is totally inaccurate. Badminton will be taking place on every day during the Games and all of it will be televised. The cycling events, being one of the few free events, will have a mass audience, including, I am sure, many local people taking advantage of the international spectacle unfolding on their own doorstep.

The cost of staging these events is being wholly met by M2002, and not by this council. The simple fact is that all the events in Bolton are making use of existing facilities such as Bolton Arena and our wonderful countryside. To suggest therefore that Bolton has been "plunged into a spiral of cost that will be a burden for many years" is simply not true. What is true, of course, is that the council has pledged some staff time in helping to organise the events locally.

To suggest that "most people and officials will stay in Manchester, not Bolton" is again far from the truth. There has already been substantial demand for bookings in the town, and there is a confidence that all available accommodation will be fully booked during the Games period. The council is working closely with the commercial sector within the borough to ensure that we maximise every economic benefit for the town and its residents.

One of the major benefits to the town is the work that has been going on for some considerable time with volunteering. Local people, especially youngsters, are being encouraged to get involved in the unique opportunity of being part of the Games. In particular, the training received will give the young people the experience and skills that they can use to gain employment after the Games. Hopefully this will be a lasting legacy for their future careers.

Politically, we have had support from all the main parties and our three MPs. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the volunteers who have already come forward and all those who have helped and encouraged us.

Bolton Council is determined to support the Games, not only to raise the borough's profile nationally and internationally, but also to gain long-term benefits for all our citizens.

John Byrne

Executive Member for

Culture, Bolton MBC