CREDIT Controller Colin Burns has taken over at the helm of the organisations which monitor the quality of local post and telecommunications services.

Mr Burns, aged 33, replaces the recently-retired Ken Butterworth as chairman of the Bolton & District Post Office Advisory Committee and the parallel Telecommunications Committee.

The two bodies, which are co-ordinated by Bolton & Bury Chamber of Commerce, act as local watchdogs.

They represent local views to national bodies such as OFTEL and POUNC, the Post Office Users' National Council.

Their job is to tackle such issues as the siting of telephone and post boxes, Post Office Counters service, postal delivery and telephone problems.

Mr Burns has worked for the last four years with EEF Lancashire/CLEEA Training.

He lives in Farnworth with his wife Bernadette and seven-year-old daughter Charlotte.

They are expecting their second child shortly.

One of his aims as chairman is to widen the membership of the committees and make them more fully representational of the wide area covered.

This includes the boroughs of Bolton and Bury and extends out to Wigan.

The committees meet three times a year at the Chamber's headquarters in Commerce House, Bridgeman Place, Bolton.

Local issues are taken up with Royal Mail, Post Office and telecommunications representatives.

Membership is open to anyone who takes an interest in local affairs or represents a particular group such as the Deaf Society.

Further details are available from secretary Kay Gregson at the Chamber on 01204 526526.

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