by 'crazy' paving BOLTON is my hometown and I've always been proud to say I was born and bred there. Nowadays I live a lot further North, but I come back often to visit family and friends.

I did just that on Thursday, September 7. I had met a friend, and we were to have lunch together and then go on to a meeting in the afternoon. Things didn't turn out quite as we expected.

Just as I crossed the road from Gregory and Porritts to that eyesore of a fly-postered empty shop on the corner of Bark Street, I tripped on loose paving stones and was sent spread-eagled on to the pavement. As I am of that age euphemistically called "Senior Citizen", I fell heavily, was winded and hurt my shoulder and my knee.

It was several minutes before I could think of getting up. As it happened, some very kind passers-by surrounded me offering their support, and one gentleman, who I must especially thank, eventually supported me on to my shaky feet.

Mr Robert McKenna, Director of the furniture store Baker and Tubbs, telephoned for an ambulance, as did also a nameless "knight in shining armour" from the telephone kiosk.

A lady with a stick also stayed to support me. I do very sincerely thank all these people, and, of course, Mr McKenna who stayed right until the ambulance came. I should like them to know that, in the event, no bones were broken; I had evidently wrenched my shoulder and bruised my knee.

What concerns me is not only the great inconvenience to myself and my friend -- though the ambulance crew and members of staff at Accident and Emergency at the hospital were extremely helpful. I think of a number of my friends who have had similar experiences, but have not wanted to make a fuss. People in our age-group are often suffering from an assortment of not very obvious complaints like angina, osteoporosis, developing cataracts, and arthritis -- among others. Life is difficult enough without unnecessary hazards making it worse.

Those who were with me during the incident pointed out a number of loose flags and bricks on that corner. Why is such shoddy workmanship allowed to mar Beautiful Bolton -- the Gem of the North? Is it money? Or carelessness? Bungling? Or sheer heedlessness of the safety of pedestrians?

Audrey Latham

Meadows Close

YealandRedmayne

Carnforth