LONDON is streets ahead of Bolton when it comes to finding your way around according to MP Dr Brian Iddon.

The Bolton South east MP has taken up the cause of map readers everywhere by lodging a complaint with council chiefs over the poor state of the town's street signs which he fears could leave visitors to the town up a dead end.

And thanks to the MP's call to arms the signs are a changing after the council pledged action.

Bolton's "Iddon" street names include Derby Street where the MP says there are no names at its junction with Fletcher Street and College Way. St Helens Road has also been highlighted as a problem.

"If you are driving around Bolton it can be difficult to find your way if you are relying on an A-Z because many of the street name signs aren't there," Dr Iddon told the BEN. "I also live in Westminster in the middle of London and while it is a lot bigger than Bolton it is far easier to find your way around because every street has a sign."

He added: "My worry is that people from out of town, including business people and delivery drivers, may be getting lost and frustrated because there is a lack signs."

Council assistant director for Environmental Management Jeff Layer agrees with Dr Iddon and says the matter is in hand.

"I too have recently become aware of the general dilapidation in the quality of and absence of street nameplates in certain parts of the borough," Mr Layer told Dr Iddon. "We have now instructed our inspectors to identify missing and damaged nameplates as part of their highway inspections and to ensure that were there are problems we address these promptly."

Bolton's emergency services universally agree that missing street signs are more "annoying" than problematic.

Sergeant Ken Carter of Bolton Traffic Police said: "You tend to notice street signs that have been vandalised rather than missing.

"Our officers rely on maps so it isn't a problem finding our way around but it is good news that something is going to be done about it."

Sub officer Jim Byrne of Bolton Fire Service said finding their way around the town becomes second nature to firefighters.

"I can understand how visitor may have a problem but we don't," he said. "It may be a problem if we had a relief crew in from somewhere like Bury but if street names are missing you can still find your way."

While a spokesman for Bolton Ambulance Service agreed that missing street names were irritating.

"It does become second nature finding your way after a while," he said. "But these days we are being sent to districts like Farnworth more and more and there are a lot of vandalised street names.

"You know you are in the right street because you look at the map but sometimes you have to check you are at the right end of the street."