WE'VE joined the Lottery winners! But forget any dreams of world cruises and top cars - this cash windfall will be put to a far better use.

The Millennium Commission, which gets 20 per cent of the proceeds of the National Lottery, has awarded more than £400,000 to allow about 135 youngsters in Bolton to make their dreams come true and also make positive contributions to their communities.

With criticism from many quarters over the way in which Lottery cash is handed out, it's great to see such a really worthy cause getting a super financial boost.

Anything that allows young people at a social, physical or economic disadvantage to achieve a better existence and, at the same time, become involved in the development of their community, must be applauded.

No wonder the various partnerships involved in the Bolton Citizens of Tomorrow organisation are celebrating the cash windfall - for it really does allow those young folk to achieve a goal, with spin-off bonuses for community spirit and civic pride.

We look forward to keeping readers fully informed on the benefits to local young people and places being created by the cash tonic. Route to safety WE seem to be getting the message over mixing drinking and driving - but will we ever shake-off our motoring obsession with speed in an increasingly hectic world?

A perfect example has to be the way in which a section of the A6 road near Blackrod has become a notorious accident blackspot, with one crash a week occurring there.

Now a 17-year battle to get speed restrictions imposed has paid off and the current 60 mph limit is set to be reduced to 40mph.

The move is a timely reminder to give road safety a real priority this Christmas - and to make some really positive New Year resolutions about the way we drive.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.