I WAS sickened to read in a national newspaper about a 79-year-old woman who was so distressed by her neighbours that she killed herself.

She left a suicide note saying: "I tried so hard to stop the music, but it still continued every night. I've done nothing to deserve this. Don't be sad. At least I'll be free of it all. I'll have peace from them." She then threw herself into a river.

Almost as sickening as this poor lady's death is the fact that those responsible for it, if we are to believe the suicide note, seem to have escaped blame.

The woman's daughter said: "The police would go to see the neighbours, but they would deny it. Things would go quiet for a couple of weeks, then it would start again."

We have read similar stories over the past few years, and will, no doubt, read more, until the powers-that-be get a grip on this problem. Nothing can be worse than to be tormented in your own home by noise and intimidation. No one should have to put up with it.

I hope that, with the introduction of Introductory and Demoted Tenancies in properties owned by Bolton at Home, nuisance neighbours will be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Stories such as this make those of us lucky enough to have good neighbours feel very grateful.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove

Bolton