THERE was yet another letter in the Bolton News last week complaining about the physical state of Bolton.

The writer, Robert M.

Goodman, told us that when he and his wife arrived in town 22 years ago it was “a beautiful town with plenty of good shops and friendly people”.

He went on: “Alas, in 2011, Bolton is a poorer, rundown town where people and shops are disappearing by the day, mainly due to a Labourrun council that has been in office far too long, some 30 years, and must be held fully responsible for the awful state of Bolton today”.

The council does not get everything right — town centre parking policies are an example — but I walked through Victoria Square in the sunshine the other day and I could not help thinking a town maligned by correspondents such as Mr Goodman looked extremely attractive.

I should imagine most of the visitors who arrive as a result of the latest coach party initiative might think the same.

People from outside the town — no doubt some of them getting on a bit — are likely to have a good time in Bolton on “Football, Fred and Fish and Chips” tours.

They will get to see Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium, the Fred Dibnah Heritage Museum and enjoy a meal at the Olympus fish and chip restaurant. There will also be time on some trips to enjoy Bolton Market and the Last Drop Village.

Representatives from hotel and coach tour groups around the region came to Bolton for the recent launch.

This kind of promotion is a great idea and I think it has genuine potential.

But, with a nod towards Mr Goodman and fellow critics, I think it would be a good idea if somebody from the council took note of likely coach routes in to Bolton and did something to collect distracting roadside litter.

For what it is worth, I thought Bolton was pretty grotty when I first came here in 1966 and it seems considerably better now — even though the effects of the recession and changes in shopping habits are all too evident