I AGREE with the letter from Janice Aspinall (BEN, August 10), regarding the state of Bolton's streets.

I lived in Bolton for 30 years, and retired a few years ago to Caernarfon, North Wales, but visit my family on regular occasions.

I am dismayed at the disgraceful condition of the roads, and also the increasing amount of litter -- particularly noticeable in the outlying districts like Deane, Daubhill, Great Lever, Halliwell and Breightmet.

Some of these areas have over the past years supposedly been upgraded, surely weekly street cleaning should have been included as a priority.

I pay approximately half the council rates charged in Bolton, but for this the roads are minus potholes, the pavements and verges are litter free -- even during the tourist season.

Visitors to my area are often heard to remark on its clean appearance.

In Bolton, a superb town centre is being let down by the apparent lack of money spent on giving the residents in the surrounding areas a clean, safe environment to live in.

I look forward with some scepticism to an improvement by my next visit.

Mrs S Barnes

Glan Llyfnwy

Nantlle

Caernarfon

Gwynedd