THIS week has been a busy one for Leigh MP Andy Burnham.

But we hope the effort he has put in will be rewarded with positive advancement for the community he represents.

In a late-night maiden speech in the House of Commons, Mr Burnham outlined three items which not only he feels would be significantly beneficial to the area.

After meeting with trade union officers from the threatened Ingersoll-Rand plant at Hindley Green, he emphasised the need to try to offer an attractive package to keep the Swan Lane plant.

He also called for a positive move regarding the Xanadu leisure complex plans which he feels would give Leigh a new lease of live.

Combined with his Commons campaign to have a fair promotion and relegation system in professional rugby league, which would give Leigh Centurions Super League big time status, he seems to have had a hectic week.

That enthusiasm deserves to pay dividends and if it does thousands of people will ultimately benefit. Expect the unexpected WE wouldn't have believed how badly young Cressida Marshall could have been injured, had we not seen pictures of her scalded little body.

The innocent three year old was badly burnt in an incident which happened in a coffee shop queue. We do not doubt that the person whose actions led to Cressida being showered with boiling tea never intended such a thing to happen.

But it makes us realise how vulnerable we are in the seemingly safest situations. There's plenty on our own doorstep EVERY picture tells a story and the one of Hall House Bridge, lovingly created by primary school youngsters and currently on show at Leigh's Derby Rooms, prompted a reminder from mayor John Hilton not to overlook nature's wealth right on our doorstep.

The mayor, a prime mover in conservation strategies pioneered in Wigan borough, was as impressed as all visitors were at the quality of the imaginative work on display. Stressing the importance of Pennington Flash Country Park to the world of wildlife and the area's other Sites of Specific Scientific Interest he hopes, as we do, that we make full use of the facilities in our midst before travelling further afield.