SIR: I worked as an operator at Bolton Telephone Exchange for many years until its sad demise some years ago. During that time, I and my fellow operators experienced the same phenomena as Ben Embley, Manager of Ritzy nightclub.

Friday and Saturday evenings were always a frantic time once the pubs and clubs started to empty. Emergency calls for ambulance and police kept us fully employed for an hour or two. But, every few weeks, we noticed an increase in activity - from the mere frenetic to absolute chaos.

Eventually, we realised that the worst times coincided with a full moon. We treated it as a joke - "The idiots are out, it must be a full moon!" But it happened too regularly to be put down to coincidence. Still we were reluctant to take it seriously. After all, we were in danger of delving into the realms of the werewolf.

Now, Ben Embley has confirmed our suspicions. The moon does appear to affect the behaviour of some, if not all of us. I for one have to shave my eyebrows and file my teeth.

G Firth

Kerry Grove, Tonge Moor

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