I FEEL I must write in following the completion of Fred Dibnah's latest TV series "The Age of Steam", to propose that Fred be made a Freeman of the Borough.

The man is a national treasure and a local celebrity worthy of proper recognition.

Along with Nat Lofthouse and Peter Kay, he has done more to promote the true image of Boltonians as warm, witty and knowledgeable than anyone involved in the "official" side of promoting the town.

Fred has also demonstrated to the country at large what a debt we owe to our local industrial forefathers.

I recommend that he should immediately be made the figurehead of a new heritage tourism initiative in Bolton (which is sadly lacking in the new "vision" for the town centre) aimed at, once and for all, doing justice to our unique industrial heritage and proving that it can at the same time be a commercial success that everyone can share in and be proud of.

All in favour? Then let's get on with it!

Stuart Whittle

Albert Road West

Bolton