SIR: Perhaps you would like to consider for your 'Rat of the Week' series the 'lowlife' who pinched the wheel trims from my Citroen Motability car recently while it was parked outside my son's flat on Holmeswood Road, Bolton - I have been in Bolton visiting my family because it was my birthday this week.

I am well aware of the problems Bolton has with car thefts, having lived there for 30 years, and worked for the Borough as a teacher. I do not think these 'lowlife' persons realise, that like them, I am non-working (due to ill health), and cannot claim on insurance without having to pay the first £75, which means I shall probably decide to replace the wheel trims with the birthday money given to me by my children.

A very pleasant week has been dampened by these idiots - some of whom I might even have taught!

Mrs Sally Barnes, Glan Gwna

Caeathro, Caernarfon

Gwynedd, Wales

If you want to nominate a Rat of the Week write to the BEN, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton and mark your envelope accordingly.

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