A BOLTON businessman has hit back angrily at comments by brass band conductor Chris Wormald that local firms do not support the town's youth.

Andrew Dickson, of travel firm St Andrew's Travel, called controversial comments made in a letter to the BEN by Mr Wormald "unfair and unjust".

In the letter, which was printed on August 9, Mr Wormald claimed most Bolton firms were apathetic and unsupportive.

The conductor of Smithills School Senior Brass Band said hundreds of firms had ignored his pleas to drum up support for two tours to take talented young musicians to Japan and the USA.

Mr Wormald, who is head of music at Smithills School, wrote: "Apathy and rejection are simply too common and almost unique to our town.

"Most businesses in the town cannot even find the time to reply to letters or even acknowledge complementary CDs often sent out to them. Our next Smithills tour will almost certainly be funded entirely by US companies. They were amazed and baffled at the widespread lack of actual support we receive in our home town."

His comments provoked outrage from Mr Dickson who said that the majority of firms in Bolton generously supported charities and youth groups.

And he was backed by Jeremy Glover, the manager of Bolton Lads and Girls Club, which accepts thousands of pounds from business every year.

Mr Dickson fumed: "It's outrageous. There are hundreds of companies who support charities, many of which choose to remain anonymous. They cannot give to everyone.

"Businesses get floods of requests every week. Sometimes it's just not possible to reply to them all."

And Mr Glover added: "I find Bolton companies to be incredibly generous. I meet people in other towns in the North-west and they are always quite envious that we get the level of support we do. As recipients of donations and sponsorship money, we should be grateful when it is given and understanding when it is not."

But Mr Wormald said he did not regret writing the letter and added he had been inundated with letters of support.

He said: "I am very pleased with the responses I have had. There has been 25 letters of support from small charities and youth organisations and no one saying I was wrong.

"They have been saying, "bravo, well done" to me and are glad someone has spoken up. They have kept quiet because they do not want to upset businesses."

His band is still in debt after the tour of West Virginia to the tune of £9,000.

The group is holding concerts to raise funds - the next one is on Monday, August 27, at 2pm, in Moss Bank Park. Chris Wormald