I WAS born in Bolton 27 years ago, and hope the council see sense over the Market Hall controversy.

I am dismayed that some councillors and Market Hall spokespeople have been taken in by Agora's spin. I see the Market Hall as the gem in Bolton's crown. I was there today, and could hardly move for shoppers.

I do not know who is more hilarious, Peter Kay or Michael Stevens of Agora, who has said "the development is needed to stop Bolton falling behind rival shopping centres. Bolton used to be one of the top shopping centres, now it has fallen behind."

If Bolton council was not so dogmatic, they would see that other parts of the town could be invested in. For example, why not have a tube like the walkway over Corporation Street, Manchester, to a new development west of the Market Hall in the Bark Street area?

This would never happen in my father's town of Venice. We love old original buildings. As Peter Hardcastle said: "The company is trying to rip the soul out of Bolton."

Georgette Andretti

Chapeltown Road

Bromley Cross