MAY I add my sixpence worth to the remarks made by 'Disgruntled' in the BEN (November 15).

As someone involved on the busking scene for some years, I have to agree that there are too many beggars on the streets. In fact, when busking myself last year, I was even approached and threatened by several of them, saying I had taken over their 'patch'.

May I suggest the council follow other councils such as Manchester and London and issue some kind of busking licence, with designated 'spots', so that buskers can continue to entertain the people of Bolton without getting any hassle.

The layout of the town centre is ideal for street entertainment, and

while I wouldn't expect the 'licence' to cost too much (if anything), I feel it would go a long way in not only promoting and improving the

standard of busking in Bolton, but also differentiate between the genuine busker and the 'beggars' people like 'Disgruntled' object to.

I would be only too happy to advise the powers-that-be on the subject.

Alec Martin

The Buskers

Ball of Bolton