I WAS horrified yesterday when I and my friends visited Bolton, as we do at least once a week to leisurely shop in your town, as we find it much nicer to shop in Bolton than Blackpool.

As usual, we called in at the Market Place shopping centre, which in the past we found nice and always clean and a lovely place to shop.

To our horror we found the restful area of the fountain screened off and, when we asked why, were told the fountain is being removed, to be replaced by another fast food outlet.

We all think that this is commercialism gone crazy. For many years we have enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere around the fountain between shopping and having a rest.

We all feel that the Market Place will be turning into another run-of-the-mill shopping palace like Blackpool, with no thought for older people or mothers with children.

We don't think we will be coming to Bolton for much longer.

And what happens to the nice old man who looks after the fountain so well. Is he redundant, as usual, for doing a good job?

Mrs P Croft

Blackpool Road

Clevelys