FURTHER to repeated reports in the BEN about teenage drinking in Bolton, I would like to describe an individual case as witnessed by a neighbour of mine only a week ago.

A jogger found a lad of about 16 lying face down in a hedgerow, the face swollen, bloody and bruised, the lips split open, and the back of the head grazed. His pupils were dilated, he appeared to be heavily drunk and had lost nearly all control over his body. After having staggered to his feet, he instantly fell backwards again, and stayed down as if unconscious.

While the jogger called for an ambulance, my neighbour kept watching the injured boy, who tried to pick himself up once more, only to collapse again, this time being prevented from harming himself even more, however, before being finally collected by an ambulance.

I don't know whether the lad is all right now, and, naturally, I wish him well. But it is certainly no heroic deed for minors or adults to get themselves in such a dangerous and undignified state.

On the contrary, to manage alcohol prudently makes the real man or woman, and I know for a fact that there are many more desirable things to do in life than to make a complete fool of oneself. And there are, even today, plenty of interesting opportunities for the determined one!

In view of our mushrooming booze society, will the Government perhaps reconsider its ill-advised decision to allow round-the-clock drinking in public houses?

Over to you, Dr Iddon MP.

(name and address supplied)