WHEN I think of Salford it reminds me of the dank and dirty streets of the industrial age portrayed by L S Lowry.

I was surprised then to see residents had got together to brighten up their long, gardenless, terraced streets and transformed them into a community award winning mass of greenery.

They looked glorious. Whole streets were awash with hanging baskets and pots filled with masses of colourful flowers. What a transformation.

It just shows what could be done if the residents of our area's featureless rows did the same -- that's if the council would allow them room to take up some of the pavement for decoration and of course vandals and thieves would leave them alone.

Well it's obvious they have in the city, and if they can do it there, why not here?

I have never forgotten a story a colleague did in the 70s when the families of one Hindley street turned their cobbled back alley into a beautiful garden area. It left such a great impression on me but I wonder if it is still the same.

It was certainly a big improvement on the filthy backs I trek round in the town centre and it's so easy to do. It only needs one to start the rest trying to keep up with the Joneses.