I READ Angela Kelly's words on Raymond Domench's view of Bolton (October 11).

In some ways she may be right to condemn him for not visiting our town, others may feel he has more sense by not doing so.

Angela Kelly mentions our lively town centre. I presume she is talking about the clubs and pubs, not the many closed and boarded-up shops.

A mention is made of Bolton's pretensions of being a city -- this from a town which has a ring road which is being reduced to a single lane, a hospital deep in the red, the only civic swimming facility about to close, litter on every street, and a council not interested in even attempting to move the town into the 21st century.

I agree, we don't spin cotton any more, Angela, but it would be preferential to the lack of manufacturing/industry we do have. Bolton is becoming an area of retail outlets and service industries.

It may seem I haven't a good word to say for Bolton -- that's not true. I agree that the countryside is wonderful, and so are the people. I was born here and have spent the majority of my life in the town and am proud of my heritage, it just seems a pity that more people don't seem to care what happens to Bolton.

I recently spent a few days in Le Mans, our twin town -- the difference between the two was amazing. The French town was clean, roads and pavements well maintained, a lively centre with shops where people sat next to fountains and could walk about in safety. So Angela, remember, there is good and bad everywhere -- in France and even in good old Bolton.

"Bolton born and bred"

(Name and

address supplied)