I write to commend you on the publication of the letter from your reader Lesley Hey in the Bury Times (River is a blooming disgrace to the town', August 10) regarding the state of the River Irwell at Peel Mills.

Unfortunately your picture only scratches the surface of the problem.

This area of outstanding beauty appears to be completely neglected, except for the occasional mowing of the grass. The paths have been cleared (of a sort) for the first time in at least three years but as a consequence, many of the small trees and shrubs have also been decimated.

If the upkeep had been regular, this would not have been the case.

The whole area is filled with litter as my pictures show. Trolleys from a nearby supermarket and fire extinguishers are strewn all over, fires started near picnic tables and rubbish left almost everywhere.Does Bury Council have a policy of out of sight of most people, out of mind' or are they leaving it to rack and ruin before they build on this area?

I walk my dog at Peel Mills regularly and you realise the open spaces and beautiful, mature trees should be an asset to our town, not something to be hidden away and turned into a tip.

BRIAN BARNES