THE bad old days are here again. Just as in the winter of 2000, services on the Clitheroe to Manchester line are being cancelled.

I do not mention the lateness, but whenever I read a timetable nowadays, I put in the "x factor," which is greater as equal to ten minutes -- on a good day.

It happened again on the morning of October 8 as it did on October 2.

So, a return journey which in theory should last 40 minutes and cost £2.75, ends up costing £1.85 for a single bus fare plus £2.25 for a single rail ticket for the return, and lasts a total of 75 minutes.

When "Two Jags" John Prescott was in charge it was bad. Now, we have Stephen Byers -- and we have another change, a "re-nationalisation"!

MR J KENT, Fairfield Close, Clitheroe.