ONE can applaud the Bolton Evening News for its Pride of Bolton Campaign, but I feel only shame in the town.

This photo is of our local "grot-spot" on Georges Lane, road to the West Pennine Moors, which was promoted in the Bolton Evening News as one of the town's positive features. There is also a permanently un-emptied litter bin at the bottom of Georges Lane.

Visiting other parts of the town, the litter in the back streets and gardens of the Great Lever area is disgusting. Smithills, too, was promoted as one of Bolton's attractions. Hopefully, visitors will go there by car, as the recently "cleaned up" bus shelter at the entrance to Smithills is used as a "drug-den".

Recently, I watched a lad within a foot or so of a litter bin toss his lunch paper to the ground. As our eyes met, he shrugged his shoulders and said: "Someone will pick it up."

I have seen youths open car windows and throw out their cans, and likewise school children and students discarding cans and cartons down where they walk.

One Saturday afternoon I collected a friend from Bath at Bolton railway station. There were drug sniffers in the waiting room. I felt ashamed of my town as we drove out, litter and graffiti to welcome her.

Since Christmas I have seen three smashed bus shelters. Already there is graffiti on the shelter at Horwich Parkway Station -- Welcome to the Commonwealth Games!

What a contrast in visiting County Durham recently, even the former pit villages are litter and graffiti-free, with no bumps and pot-holes in the roads.

Why can't we have "DON'T DROP LITTER/PLEASE TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME WITH YOU" signs, as we used to do? Why not? Because, probably, they too would be vandalised.

Sorry to say it, but Bolton is really a bit of a dump.

(Name and address supplied)