WALKING through the bus station in Peel Street, Accrington on a dreary Monday afternoon, I was amused to see young lovers saying their goodbyes going home from school.

For goodness sake it seemed like they would be parting for almost eternity! Not going into school the day after.

It seems to me that 16-year-olds can have a bet on the lottery, have legal sex and the talk is for them to be able to vote at 16. It won't be long before it will be legal to purchase alcohol legally.

I think we are on the road of no return. I humbly compare my own mid-teens. I had to get up at 6.30am in order to be at work for 7.30am, try to keep up with grown men for eight-and-a-half hours a day, shovelling coal or swinging a sledge hammer in the blacksmith's shop -- and all for a couple of quid a week.

My one luxury was five Woodbines to last a couple of days. I would not wish any kid to go through that today but I feel sure that a happy medium can be struck.

By the way I passed for grammar school but we couldn't afford the price of the uniform and books.

FRANCIS CROSS, Eagle Street, Accrington.