SIR: As a loyal and hard-working supporter of the Bolton PDSA, I feel that the response from Clare Faulkner, PR Department, in no way reassures me concerning the provision of a Bolton animal hospital. Over the last three years there have been promises of this nature but nothing has materialised. What does she mean by "actively seeking sources of funding", and why is the PDSA "remaining tight-lipped over the exact plans"?

Surely, if people were informed about the plans, then they would be more motivated in the fund-raising field.

The RSPCA is a charity which also receives no government funding. They do, however, publish accounts for all to see how the money is used for the benefit of animals in the town.

Are we to assume that the money which has been raised over the years by the Bolton people is invested ready to support the hospital?

Raffle tickets sent from the National PDSA have been sold to friends who, in turn, receive more raffle tickets as their addresses have been returned with the money! Despite constant requests to send no more, still they come! There is a limit to the support one can or wishes to give, and people would rather support their local branch.

Perhaps Clare can be more specific in her answers to the supporters of the Bolton PDSA.

Mrs S A Whittle

The Crescent, Little Lever

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