SIR: For a number of years, the Earl of Bradford leased a small plot of land known as the Whiston Drive Play Area for children, to Bolton Council, who, in return, kept the area in good order and also supplied the usual playground paraphernalia.

However, last October, the Earl would not renew the lease, resulting in the playground closure and to hell with the kids.

For the past eight months, the piece of land has been left to the elements. The grass, the weeds, have grown. It looks like no-man's land. Should the grass and weeds grow much taller, then I feel Crocodile Dundee would be at home in it.

Is the Earl so hard-up he cannot afford to have a man and a lawnmover tidy up? I would remind him also that people's homes, for which they have paid good money, look out on this area. We don't want an eyesore on our doorsteps.

G Smith,

Bradford Park Drive,

Haulgh, Bolton.

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