AN elderly woman was sickened to see that obscene graffiti in a town centre underpass had been allowed to remain for more than a week.

The woman, who did not want to be named, first noticed the daubings last week while walking through the passage between Newport Street and the Octagon Theatre.

The writing, which covers both walls of the underpass, is easy for passing shoppers to see.

The woman contacted Bolton Council about removing the graffiti, but said she has heard nothing since.

A council spokesman said the land did not belong to them, but they would be sending out a clean-up team to remove the slogans.

It appears as though someone else has also taken offence to the messages, as certain words of the offending material have been covered with a thick grey paint.

The woman said: "It is sickening. I could not believe it when I first saw it. It is plain for all to see, and dozens of people use the route each day, including children. I cannot understand how it has been allowed to remain for so long in a town like Bolton.

"I know the passage has recently been painted, but I thought a town keen to attract shoppers would have dealt with it. It certainly isn't what I want to see when I'm out shopping."