ELIZABETH Howcroft seems to have missed the point (Your Views, March 17). My suggestion, that we pay to use town centre loos, was merely an alternative to having toilets close early, or close altogether.

I agree, Elizabeth, no one should be charged, but I would much prefer to see Bridge Street toilets, for examble, back in use, with attendants in full time jobs - and, if paying to use them is the only way to re-open them, then I would certainly pay.

I am personally well aware that many people - men and women - need to use the loos more than most. Surely this is an added reason to have more toilets open, and for longer.

Of course, if the council listened to the people - the majority that is - they wouldn't waste our money on luxuries we can ill afford, such as the Octagon, the Moran painting or the unnecessary re-vamp of Victoria Square to name but three.

Money saved could have been spent on necessities, such as toilets and street cleaning.

As for super-loos - thousands of people who suffer from claustrophobia couldn't possibly use them. Most elderly people don't like them. And what about people with prams?

Are you listening Cllr Harkin? If you have thoughts of putting these things on Moor Lane, forget it. EVERYONE needs to use the loos, not just most people.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove, Bolton

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