RUTH KELLY MP Bolton West: This is an innovative idea by the Bolton Evening News and I have no hesitation in supporting the Pride of Bolton campaign. Sadly, the sense of local community has eroded from parts of our society and this is of great concern to us all. Bolton has been awarded £12 million over the next three years through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to address these issues. We must do all we can to rekindle community spirit.

DAVID CRAUSBY MP

Bolton North East

I welcome the Pride of Bolton campaign. I hope as many people as possible will join in and make the streets of Bolton cleaner, healthier and safer for us all. We should all have pride in the town and the area we live in. Pride in our communities should be paramount. Caring and thinking about others should be top of our agenda.

DR BRIAN IDDON MP

Bolton South East

I am fully in favour of any campaign that boosts the profile of Bolton and would like to wish the Bolton Evening News the very best of luck. Thereisalottobeproudofin

Bolton, most of all its people. To coin a phrase, a lot done, a lot more to do. I am proud of the way Bolton has adapted to changing situations. We can and will move with the times.

BOB HOWARTH

Bolton Council Leader

Pride of Bolton seems to be exactly the kind of campaign from which the borough will benefit as it prepares to go on the world stage with the Commonwealth Games. The campaign is an important project that, while pointing out some of our faults, will also highlight the best of Bolton. I urge people to get involved.

KEVAN HELSBY

Mayor of Bolton

A lot of people already have tremendous pride in this town. They work together in partnerships and we have very good facilities for business, leisure and sport. This campaign is a good thing and I would like to wish the Bolton Evening News all the best.

KAREN WHEELDON

Bolton Town Centre

Management Company

We are delighted to support the Pride of Bolton campaign. As a company we believe the measure of a town is its people and campaigns for the good ultimately rest on those that have pride in their town.

GARY TITLEY MEP

Well done the Bolton Evening News. Your Pride of Bolton campaign has my full backing. Litter on our streets, anti-social behaviour, dereliction -- we all know what is wrong with our town. But there is a lot that is right about it, too. If we all work together, we can help make Bolton even better.

NAT LOFTHOUSE

Wanderers legend

I've lived in Bolton all my life and it is the only place in the world for me. I love the town and its people. I wouldn't even think about living anywhere else. It's a wonderful place to live and there a lot of things we can be proud of.

VERNON KAY

TV presenter

The people of Bolton are fantastic -- real salt of the earth. When I come back home I never get any hassle, just a slap on the back and an "all right mate". That's just the way I like it. There are a lot of things we can be be proud of in Bolton. Good luck to the Bolton Evening News.

ANDREW DICKSON

President of Bolton and Bury

Chamber of Commerce

I am very proud to be from this town and to have my business here. But I get very frustrated by people who cause problems with litter, graffiti and fly-posting. Bolton is a fantastic place. We should all feel proud of being Boltonians and get behind the campaign.

FARUQ MANGERA

General Secretary of the

Bolton Council of Mosques

It is good to celebrate living and working side by side in the spirit of multi-cultural harmony. There is a good partnership between ethnic minorities and the rest of the community in Bolton. We all have a part to play in the campaign.