IT'S no wonder that local shops are losing out to the out of town malls if Sharon Taylor's school trouser tale of woe is anything to go by.

She recently wanted a pair of navy-blue school trousers for her daughter and came into Leigh. She found a shop that stocks school attire but they had no navy in stock and she was promised a pair would be ordered for Monday.

She rang on the appointed day and was informed they hadn't come in but would definitely be in on Friday.

On Saturday she went in to to collect the trousers but was again disappointed.

She says if this is the standard of service that we are to expect from the "smaller" shopping centres then count her out -- and who can blame her?

In high dudgeon she tootled off to the Trafford Centre, parked with ease in a parent/child space and had the choice of navy trousers in any of four shops! Say no more.