BURNDEN Park is not simply an empty stadium, it is part of Bolton's illustrious sporting history. Even if it were not, it would not deserve to be treated as a rubbish heap and general dumping ground.

But, this is what it has become, thanks largely to 'travellers' who have been invading the land in droves. The old ticket office has been used as a toilet, and there has been wholesale vandalism of the disused site.

Residents are concerned, not just about the terrible eyesore it has become, but about the health hazard. They have all our sympathy as being directly affected by such uncaring behaviour. But Burnden has now become a shameful landmark on the map of our town.

To its credit, Bolton Council has tried to evict caravans on several occasions, but the 'travellers' keep returning.

Now, some more permanent measures must be employed, to protect the site from those who apparently care nothing for the town of Bolton, its people or its history.

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