With reference to chuggers, I understand and support the council in its action to restrict this street menace, most of these chuggers do not belong to the charity they represent but are working for companies on a commission basis employed by the charity.

I am proud to belong to a true charity that has been in Bolton for 144 years and is still going strong even though we are 40-plus miles from the sea. We are so well supported by the good people of Bolton. Our street and store collections are done by our volunteers who adhere to the RNLI code of practice by not approaching the public and not rattling the collecting buckets.

By what we raise annually I think we are very well thought of in Bolton.

I cannot understand where these chuggers fit in with the concept of charity and think that the council should write to the charity concerned and warn them that they could be banned from our town.

This behaviour also affects other true charities causing people to avoid passing close and giving donations, I would like to see how many other people agree with me.

Tom Ridyard, Chairman of Bolton District branch of the RNLI Belmont Road Bolton