I WOULD like to reply to the article Children 'not poor enough' (August 1).

I live within Halliwell (Sure Start area), and I am incensed to be called poor, which is what the article implies. We live in our own house, my partner works and I bring up our children.

In the article it says the Government funded project is for the people of Halliwell, which is right, but the people of Halliwell can't use the services because they are been used by people from out of the area. As an example to this I would like to use the toddler group at Oxford Grove School on a Monday afternoon. I have been to this group and have been made to feel very uncomfortable. Perhaps the people of Halliwell don't feel welcome at the toddler group.

I have accessed a number of services that Sure Start offer; the speech therapists, homestart, health visitor and a number of courses. Sure Start have helped me through a difficult time in my life. My children's confidence has increased after visits to the excellent crche. I have nothing but praise for the work Sure Start are doing in the Halliwell area. Why can't these people acess services within their own communities of Marklandhill or Horwich?

A mother in Halliwell