SEVERAL letters interested me in recent editions of the BEN so, therefore, may I be allowed to reply as briefly as possible so that the salient points are not omitted by editing. My comments are as follows:-

1. Laura Reeds (BEN March 20). When I realise this child has only just graduated from the nursery where I presume she studied animal welfare by reading Peter Rabbit books by Beatrix Potter, may I inform this child that, at her age, I was travelling from Farnworth to Manchester in a blackout, leaving home at 7.30am and arriving back around 7.45pm.

Regarding the foxes -- there are murderers who kill for the sheer hell of killing, but, with such people who are brainwashing children like Laura, they are being cushioned to the detriment of the public and others just as human murderers are comforted and cushioned in the modern prisons.

Grow up, Laura, and live a country life as I have done for over 76 years.

2. Mr B W Tyas Cooper (BEN March 20). Like Mr Tyas Cooper I was not surprised Bolton was refused University status as well as city status, as it is frowned upon as falling into the 'Coronation Street' category and, with ambassadors such as Peter Kay, Sarah Cox and Nichola Holt, the impression is not improved.

I must admit, I have never seen any of the aforementioned programmes, not owning a TV, but the reports I have read do not impress me.

When I have been in London and the South, I have the greatest difficulty convincing people I am from the North as they base everyone on these programmes.

They are not good ambassadors for the town. Even in Manchester, one is considered Grade Z nowadays, as the standards of the town have deteriorated into a hotch potch of rubbish and food-strewn streets -- ideal for foxes' midnight parties.

3. Karen Wheeldon (BEN March 23). The Town Centre Manager commented about begging on the streets.

So far, so good, but when she enlarges to say it is to fuel drugs, gambling, and alcohol, I would ask her to consider what the town centre boasts -- gambling dens at every corner or arcades and more public houses opening almost every week -- Whiteheads being the latest on the list.

I laughed when I read its proposed name 'The Goose', and wondered if it is to be dedicated to the Town Council as, at my college, it was quite popular to call a stupid person 'a goose'. Perhaps it may become the 'Goose City' the way things are progressing.

Dorothy B Waters

Winifred Road

Farnworth