I'M astounded that a couple of artists have been awarded a £6,000 lottery grant to travel the world and send postcards back!

It's a disgrace when bids for deserving causes, like the valuable local recycling charity at Hindley which employs people with learning difficulties, are being turned down and now face closure.

No wonder people by their millions are falling off playing the game.

Another waste is the £m government grant given to scientists to help them find out why broccoli droops.

The research team at the Horticultural Research Institute wants to create a variety that stays firm longer and doesn't turn yellow quite so quickly.

The experts don't think the answer lies in the soil, but in the genes.

The veg, which is said to be good in the prevention of some forms of cancer, is I must admit a pain to keep. I certainly throw away more than I eat, but it's cheap enough.

If scientists do genetically modify it then I certainly don't want any. Give me natural every time - even if it does end up on the compost heap.