I HAD to laugh at M Gittins' letter regarding the town centre.

Not because I thought it was in any way funny but because he/she put down so accurately my exact thoughts - especially about the fountains.

I wonder how long it took the planning committee and how many designs they had look at before they made their choice.

I hardly expected Trevi fountain but surely young designers of today could do better than that!

Perhaps the Town Centre Manager would like to comment on the empty, boarded-up shops?

Is there a reason retailers are not coming to Bolton and what happened to individual shops - antiques, second-hand books, crafts, boutiques - something different to encourage shoppers instead of just the same shops found in surrounding towns?

Judith Redfern

St James Ave

Bolton

via e-mail