VILLAGERS in Stoneclough are campaigning to have their postcode changed because they have a closer affinity with Bolton.

Many residents are baffled why their address is linked to Radcliffe, arguing they live in the borough of Bolton.

Some claim delivery drivers and visitors to the village are puzzled by the postal address, and waste time finding their correct destination.

Councillor Margaret Rothwell, who represents Kearsley, said: "People feel so strongly about this issue because it presents a lot of everyday problems for villagers.

"We've had delivery drivers who don't know the area getting lost because of the postal address.

"The villagers feel as if they've lost their Bolton identity. People look at their postal address and think that they're from Manchester, when, in fact, they're part of the borough of Bolton and proud of that fact."

A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said it was unlikely that Stoneclough would have its postal code changed.

She said: "A postal address is a sorting and routing instruction to postal staff and enables them to deliver mail quickly and effectively.

"We don't change a postal address and postcode unless it's absolutely necessary to maintain and improve delivery services, although in certain circumstances, we may make changes to reflect customer demand, and this is explained in our code of practice.