UNLIKE B. P. Warren (letters 18.10.01) I came to Urmston after the precinct was built, but I do remember when we had decent shops and not an empty unit to be seen.

When it was decided to build the Trafford Cen-tre, I thought that may-be Urmston would fin-ally smarten itself up to impress outside visitors, but it was, predictably, a vain hope.

If anything, it appears to have gone worse.

In the 70s, I saw a road sweeper on a daily basis and gardeners once a week.

Now, everywhere you go there is wall-to-wall litter. The trees, of which there are far too many, and shrubs are over-grown and the whole area has a neglected and shabby look.

I spoke to a member of the council not long ago in Urmston centre and the sad thing is that I got the impression that the councillor thought they were doing a good job.

Do none of these people actually live and shop locally?

By the way I am sure many readers will remem-ber the young lady who used to sweep our streets so efficiently years ago.

If anyone knows her whereabouts perhaps they could get in touch and ask for the brush and shovel back, because it's obvious that when she left, she took it with her and the council are still trying to raise the money to replace it!

Lynne Andron, Davyhulme