SIR: Maybe Cllr Mrs Prentice Howarth believes she is right in stating that Fred Dibnah's garden is an eyesore (BEN Friday May 10). As a visitor to Fred's domain on many occasions I have always found it to be a much more interesting place to visit than to wander about a garden full of flowers and bushes. I am not anti-horticulture.

Mr Dibnah's premises are unique and as a retired ex -engineer I am grateful that such a place exists.

People such as myself must marvel at the work and dedication that Fred has, over many years, put into making such an example of old-time expertise and design. He has applied for planning permission to build a replica pit head at his home. It would be interesting to learn the number of complaints with which the council has been 'inundated'. Mr Dibnah has a visitor's book with 400 signatures expressing appreciation of this work and I am sure there would be many more (I for one), if invited to sign his book.

Thanks Fred, here's hoping that you get the planning permission for which you have applied.

John Underwood

Parkgate Drive, Bolton

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