BOLTON couples can now get a ticket to a better relationship .... thanks to an advertising campaign on the buses.

The town's Relate organisation is putting its advertising campaign on four wheels this month.

An advert involving the famous "sexy feet" will appear on the back of First Manchester and Stagecoach, Ribble buses on 10 routes around the area.

The eye-catching artwork shows two pairs of bare tootsies, well away from each other, with the slogan "It doesn't have to be like this .... Talk to someone who understands."

Christine Whittle, centre manager of Bolton Relate in Bradford Street explained: "We want to get the message across that Relate is open to everyone - not just married couples.

"And we want people to know that long waiting lists are a thing of the past. First sessions can now be arranged within 10 days."

She added:"It is sad that so many relationships breakdown unnecessarily. People tell us that they have got so much benefit from Relate, they wished they had contacted us sooner."

To help relationships, Relate suggests 10 tips - just in case you miss the bus.

1. GIVE EACH OTHER TIME - Many couples find they give priority to everything but themselves. Time together without distractions lets you tune into each other's thoughts and feelings.

2. LEARN TO LISTEN - Active listening means much more than just hearing. Next time you have something important to discuss, try to listen with full attention. Give your partner plenty of time to make their point and accept that your partner may have a different point of view to yours.

3. HAVE FUN - Couples who laugh together are the ones who can deal with the tough times when they come along. Think about the little things that give you pleasure and make sure you bring them into your life.

4. KEEP YOUR WORD - Feeling secure is vital if a relationship is to succeed. You can help each other feel secure by always being honest - even with those issues that are difficult to face.

5. TAKE IT EASY - Modern life is full of stress. We rush from one thing to another, hardly giving ourselves a moment to catch our breath. Slow down! Next time you feel impatient with your partner, take a deep breath and let go of the anxiety to rush ahead. Patience is an under-rated quality that can bring great rewards.

6. REACH OUT - A touch can be worth a thousand words. Reach out and give your partner a hug today and discover how good it feels to hold, and to be held, by someone you love.

7. MAKE THE FIRST MOVE - When you have been hurt, it is sometimes very hard to forgive, but forgiveness can be the important first step towards mending a broken relationship.

8. BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU - Don't forget to tell your loved one how much you value their special qualities - the lovely smile or great sense of humour that attracted you to them in the first place.

9. BE HOPEFUL - At those times when you feel weighed down by life - and we all do, some time or another - the partner can be just the right person to make you feel hopeful about the future. Tell them how you feel and enlist their support. When their turn comes, do the same for them.

10. LET YOUR LOVE GROW - Love that lasts is enriching in a way that new love cannot be. Don't give up on your relationship when troubles first show. If you can work through your problems, you may have vintage years ahead. Talking to a Relate counsellor who really understands can make all the difference.

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