ON Saturday I was again privileged to participate in the Bolton Hospice Midnight Memories Walk.

More than 1,500 of all ages and experience walking eight miles along Chorley New Road, to help sustain and develop a much loved institution whose annual running costs are more than £3.75m. of which the hospice needs to raise £2.8m.

As usual, the organisation of all aspects of the walk was excellent from start to finish. Roads were not closed so there were friendly stewards to keep the flow of chattering walkers.

Something the hospice organisation couldn't influence however, was the stretches of Chorley New Road, where overgrowing trees and hedges restricted the width of the pavements and prevented street lighting getting through.

This long standing problem of safety issues requires action, where council or private.

As we passed the hospice, I found myself thinking of the many situation taking place within its caring walls, as we happily began the final stretch toward the finish and the welcoming pasty or bacon butty.

Well done to all concerned and the best wishes to all who work at Bolton Hospice.

David Sharples,

Tarbet Drive,

Bolton