NEXT Wednesday sees the inauguration of Cllr Roger Hayes as Mayor of Bolton for 2017 /18.

Roger thoroughly deserves this honour and I will, of course, be attending the inauguration ceremony in the council chamber to show my support for him in this role.

I will not, however, be attending the following "feast" in The Festival Hall.

I have attended these for the past three years, but have become increasingly uncomfortable with such wining and dining at the taxpayer’s expense when many families are having to resort to food banks to get through the week.

I did suggest last year that the attendees should cover the cost, but this was deemed to be inappropriate.

This is my personal decision which has nothing to do with the party I represent.

Cllr Paul Richardson

Ripon Close

Little Lever