AFTER going to the Co-op in Ramsbottom, I walked to the nearby cash machine. Upon rounding the corner I was faced with about seven girls, aged from 10 to 14.

"Have you got a light?" came the question. "No I haven't, sorry," was my response.

"Will you go in the shop for us?" came the question. "No sorry," was my response. (Why did I keep saying sorry?).

Whilst waiting my turn at the cash machine, I lost count of how many four-letter words these girls knew, and must admit to being impressed by just how many they could say in one minute.

After taking my withdrawal, I was asked again: "Will you go in the shop for us?"

"No sorry" I said, again. At that point I was told to "p*** off".

Unfortunately for this poor, unsuspecting young lady (although I could think of other words to describe her) I am not the sort of person to be spoken to in such a manner by a minor, no matter how many there are and no matter whether they are male or female. After facing the young lady and issuing a suitable response (I know words of five and six letters to their four) I went to the store where I asked to speak to the manager. The response was a fairly-near-the-end-of-my-shift, liberal sort of one, but I returned to my car satisfied with a job well done.

Whilst I accept that not everyone is able to react as I did, the number of adults who just ignore this sort of behaviour from young people surprises me. I would urge all those who are capable of confronting them to do so. Believe me, the look in their eyes and the sound of their bowels is reward enough!

I would also urge all parents (of which I am one) to move away from the pub or the telly occasionally and visit such places as the Co-op to see what their 10-14 year olds are up to.

Can you really answer the question: "Where are yours?"

CONCERNED PARENT