I AM extremely disappointed that bus operator First Manchester decided not to run services in Bolton on Boxing Day ("Lack of buses to blame for poor sales", Bolton News, January 3).

Boxing Day is traditionally a very busy shopping day. I am sure there are hundreds of people in Bolton who would have liked to have been able to use the bus to get into town as well as to other facilities, such as the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Many of Greater Manchester's other bus companies, including Stagecoach and Arriva, managed to provide services on Boxing Day to other parts of the county, so why did First decide to neglect Bolton?

I hope First Manchester will reconsider its decision not to provide services on Boxing Day in the future. Passengers in Bolton deserve better.

Councillor Nick Peel, Bolton spokesperson, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority