PRIMARY school children from Little Hulton have put pen to paper to express their fears over their environment.

The pupils at Peel Hall Primary have written to their local councillor Alice Smyth demanding action over litter and crime on their estate.

And Cllr Smyth was so impressed by their letters that she paid a special visit to the school to meet face-to-face with the children.

The youngsters decided to take action after learning about their environment in special geography lessons focusing on areas around their home.

One letter, from Louise Barton, aged 11, said: "Near me, people have been throwing glass about. There is writing on the wall, and bad people."

And Kevin Rouse, aged 10, wrote: "Many children agreed that there are problems. Dear councillor, please can you help?"

Class teacher Sue McHale said: "They have expressed their hopes and fears about the future for themselves and their families in Little Hulton and have a faith in their elected leaders and councillors which is quite touching."

Cllr Smyth said: "Like all of us, the children are looking forward to a future in which they can play in a good environment. The letters were so impressive I had to go and meet the children myself."

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