I REFER to Angela Kelly's article "Big Sam's got it just right", August 2.

She has got it just right, too.

"Children's wellbeing and development relies on a balance of work and play," says Angela.

Our children are seriously out of balance.

The cause is multi-faceted. We are all to blame.

Parents work long hours, and after-school clubs are growing in number and popularity.

In the old days, we called children "latch key kids" today, we boast about them attending after-school clubs.

Teachers are seriously overburdened with endless paperwork. They have little time to develop the physical and emotional skills of children.

Many children are stressed, by unsuitable television programs, homework, fast food, lack of sleep and exercise, lack of fresh air, lack of safe places to play, and lack of time.

They need to do nothing occasionally.

Bolton is surrounded by country parks and an abundance of natural beauty. We need to find the time to enjoy them. They are free, and extremely beneficial to us all.

Unless we introduce new tastes to our children from a very early age (six months), they will grow up as finicky eaters.

We have a local outdoor market overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables, many of which children have never tasted. I am appalled at children's limited diet and knowledge.

We will have a serious problem with our NHS unless we improve our behaviour and set our children a good example. It isn't rocket science.

Alwynne Cartmell, Bolton