I AGREE wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in David Sharples’ letter (August 5), regarding the state of litter in Breightmet.

As someone who visits the area several times each week, I am shocked by the amount of litter and dog waste which is dumped in our streets.

Where is the sense of pride in the town? Where is the individual responsibility and accountability for our own actions?

Instead, some people are lazy and unconcerned about their environment, content to behave in a selfish and anti- social manner.

I recall visiting Moscow with a group of adults from Bolton in the 1990s; we were amazed at how clean the streets were, with virtually no sign of litter!

When I asked our English speaking guide how this had occurred, he told me that the current mayor was formerly a street cleaner and his charismatic leadership had inspired a sense of civic pride in the Moscovites!

There is a lesson there for us all.

The Rev Alan Pierce Astley Road Harwood