M. HAGAN'S letter (Feb 1) reminded me of the time Peter Adamson, TV's Len Fairclough, played at the old Bury Hippodrome.

Peter gave me my very first professional job of painting scenery for the Fortescue Repertory Company. I found him to be the most charming and helpful person to work with and we became the best of acquaintances. From there we went our own separate ways, Peter into television, myself onto seaside summer shows, pantomime and TV.

A few years later, I met Peter several times in Coronation Street where he was Len Fairclough and I was playing small parts. He was still the same charming person, even encouraging me by saying that there could be more parts in the pipeline for me, although I cannot say I was really interested.

As time went by, Peter seemed to change: I think drink caused this. He was written out of Coronation Street and he was gone for ever.

Yes, I liked Peter and his wife, Jean, and would like to think that he was the one who started me off on a theatrical career. He was a good actor and I am sure lots of people must have happy memories of his days at the old Bury Hippodrome.

TREVOR CRESSWELL,

Bury.