CLLR Norman Critchley went straight to the heart of the matter concerning councillors' £40-a-head trip to a Hindu temple in London.

The leader of Bolton Tories accurately pointed out that there is a large Hindu community in the North-west. There certainly is and there are a notable number of Hindus in Bolton.

So we agree with the Cllr Critchley that councillors could find out all they want to know nearer home.

But if they truly feel only a London Hindu temple will provide the in-depth information they need, then Council leader Bob Howarth has come up with an even better scheme. He says that there will be no drain on the public purse and councillors must pay their own way. That gets our vote.

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