NOBODY does it better. If we can't do much else these days Britain can still put on the greatest show of pomp and majesty in the world.

I would have loved to have been in London to witness the pageantry following the death on Easter Saturday of the Queen Mother instead of being forced to watch it on the box.

We have witnessed two days of great ceremony with the procession from Windsor for the lying in state at Westminster and the funeral itself.

The organisation and precision timing was amazing. How the gun carriage carrying the coffin reached Westminster Palace at bang on the stroke of 12 is unbelievable.

It's this kind of magic that brings tourists to our country and why the Royals are worth supporting.

And anyone who didn't feel some emotion as the first gleaming horseguards marched from a side door down the steps to keep vigil at the four corners of the catafalque hasn't got a heart.

Such powerful sights will live in the memory for ever.

rTHANK-YOU Wigan Council for getting tough on hated litter louts.

They're going to hit them where it hurts - in the wallet.

Twenty wardens have been appointed to issue £50 fines to anyone spotted dropping rubbish in the streets or from vehicles.

About time too, and I hope some of the un-uniformed personnel will be operating in the Leigh side of the borough.

The new laws came in this week as part of the council's high profile Kick It Into Touch campaign.

Even drivers can't escape. An arrangement has been set up with the DVLC to identify owners littering the roads, and businesses contacted have agreed to play ball.

I really hope they do. I am ashamed to be a Leyther the state of some of the streets I see.

Something has to be done to make scruffbags realise what a better place we'd all live in if they could just make the effort to walk a few yards to a litter bin, or take their rubbish home.

I hope the wardens go out all guns blazing and help create towns we can be proud of by stamping out this scourge.

Dog walkers should also note that the fixed penalty for allowing dogs to dirty the streets has been increased from £25 to £50, so its cheaper to pooper scoop.

rDRIVERS who use a mobile phone at the wheel are more dangerous than those just over the drink-drive limit.

The peril of car phone chats was revealed recently after tests by the Transport Research Laboratory.

Experts used 20 experienced men and women aged 21-45 to carry out tests without any alcohol, with enough drink to put them over the limit, chatting on an in-car phone and using a mobile.

The insurers who commissioned the study said they were surprised to discover that using a phone was more dangerous than drink driving.

I'm sick of seeing people manoeuvring round islands and junctions with the things pinned to their ears.

As a result will anyone caught using one receive massive fines and be banned from the road for at least 12 months? If not, they should be.

nBUILDING industry tradesmen and householders should be aware of a valuable new regulation that has been introduced this month.

The long overdue requirement brings safety and accountability to gas, oil, fuel, heated water, and window and door systems.

Anyone having heating or glazing work carried out should demand as a right a benchmark cerificate for and heating related work or a FENSA certificate if it relates to glazing.

These ensure professional work and should give customers added peace of mind.

They'll also come in handy as important documents when selling a home or business.

A good move from the Guild of Master Craftsmen to cut out the cowboys.