THE BEN has always been Lanky and proud of it.

We appreciate the work the Friends of Real Lancashire do in trying to get Bolton back in the Red Rose county and applaud most of their efforts.

But we think the group is being irresponsible in urging people to refuse to reveal their postcodes to companies which fail to acknowledge the former Lancashire boundaries.

The potential for disruption is great and we do not think the suggestion will find favour with many people.

We are with the Royal Mail on this one. They point out that their flexible address policy allows for Bolton residents to refer to themselves as living in Lancashire rather than Greater Manchester.

But they stress that postcodes should always be used because they are vital to the speedy sorting and delivery of mail.

That sounds like common sense to us.

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