I AM writing with regard to your recent, numerous articles about the "yob culture" in Horwich.

I am a resident of Horwich and happen to live just outside the so called "triangle" that you reported on. In my 18 months here I haven't had one single problem or come across anyone who has. The people here are very friendly and strangers have spoken to me on more than one occasion, to offer me advice or praise while I have been working in my garden.

Children play in the street and their parents are happy to let them do so. I rent out properties in a number of areas in Bolton and I wish that these areas were as nice as Horwich -- my life would certainly be much easier.

Before moving here I lived in Blackrod and my girlfriend lived in a quiet village in South-east England. We are both very comfortable and happy living here.

I have read the BEN for 10 years and am surprised and angered at the way Horwich has been wrongly portrayed. I agree that what happened to Mr Arrowsmith was tragic and his family have my deepest sympathy, but to slate the whole community is very wrong.

Gary R Cullen

(Address supplied)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.