BUS shelters in Deane continue to be vandalised. In Bolton alone, 20 were attacked over the last Bank Holiday weekend.

It's no wonder residents are angry, not to mention fed-up. Sadly this kind of vandalism is an issue often reported in the BEN and one which police and the Greater Manchester Transport Executive are at pains to stop.

It's needless and disruptive, not to mention expensive, costing thousands of pounds a year in repair bills.

Now the police and Bolton Council, together with the Transport Executive, are to go into schools in a bid to raise awareness of vandalism.

Lets hope this works because, in truth, publicity and campaigns simply have not. We need to instil a sense of community in Bolton's children. They need to understand the importance of taking pride in their surroundings, from a beautiful park right down to a necessary bus shelter.

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