WE'RE going to have some wonderfully exotic names locally if young mums follow the examples of the stars.

This year there's been Brooklyn Beckham, Phoenix Chi (Scary Spice) and the latest, Lennon Gallagher, son of reformed Oasis yobbo, Liam.

I must admit I do like that last name. At least it can be shortened to good old Len!

However, scanning the Journal births columns shows most parents around here are, at the moment, sticking to the more traditional. In fact most of the lads are being given biblical names.

Just last month revealed a Benjamin, Joshua, Samuel, and Zachary. There are two Jacks, a Lewis Jack, a Michael and a David. But the two that stand out for me are Corey, which confused me, and the very masculine, Matt.

I found nothing unusual in the girls' section, but Anna seems the most popular.

I'm all for names with one syllable. My own name was a burden as a child. I always got "That's a boy's name" - and for half a century I have had "Is that i.e. or e.y."? Most frustrating.

Parents should think of what the child will have to endure before they lumber it with complicated forenames.

Pity the poor Siobhans (pronounced Shevaughans) of this world. THE struggling M and S chainstore has come to its senses at last. From next Spring customers will be able to use credit cards.

I should think so too. I always found it ludicrous that a firm of that size would only accept cheques.

Not everyone wants a collection of store cards if they haven't the cash on them at the time. At least the move should put some sparks back into the once favourite shop which has crashed from its pinnacle.

They've decided to bring in more modern designers for their clothes department, as well as lots of other restructuring.

Their new undies are certainly more colourful and sensual, but I appeal on behalf of we past the glam stage . . . please don't get rid of the white comfies.

IF it was the last job on earth I'd hate to be a taxi driver.

I couldn't bear driving drunks home after a good night out, then being left to clean up vomit from the back of my vehicle.

Judging from the state of the pavements outside taxi offices it happens regularly.

The flags are a mass of stains. A horrible sight.

I don't know how people can let themselves get in such a disgusting state, then demean themselves by throwing up in someone else's property and leaving them to clear up.

It's bad enough leaving it in the street. I find nothing more abhorrent.

It's stuck with me since I was a little girl when a Saturday afternoon drunk walking in front of me puked up all over the market. I had nightmares for years and still can't stand anyone being ill in public. I THOUGHT I was the only silly person who hung curtains in their garden! I'm not.

I've had an unused wrought iron side gate covered with a green number on a brush steel for ages.

I don't like the few passers-by being able to see through the holes you see.

However, I have actually found someone else as potty.

While driving through Hindley Green I spotted one covered over with green plastic.

What it is, I'm still waiting for a kind someone to be thoughtful enough to send in The Garden Force team to fit a solid wood replacement. It's not asking for much.

IF you're fit and don't mind moidering friends for massives of sponsorship cash there's some smashing adventure holidays to be had.

Charities now have fun-d raising schemes which include daredevil journeys all over the world for willing do-gooders.

Of course they have to contribute to costs, but some brilliant opportunities are on offer.

This year I've written numerous charity appeals for people to accept riding, walking, rafting and cycling challenges.

The latest came from LEPRA and mountaineer, Doug Scott, who is looking for local people to join a pioneering trek meeting leprosy patients in the remote areas of Nepal.

The route which has never been covered before was only discovered by Doug on his last visit.

But the main objective of the trip is to meet leprosy patients and see the work that the charity is doing to cure people.

All participants need is to raise almost £2,000, enough to cure 50 people of leprosy, at £21 each, and £900 for their own costs.

This is more expensive than usual, but anyone willing to have a go at fund raising can get themselves some spectacular adventure hols of a lifetime.

A NEW home shopping mag caught my attention this week. It's full of those fantastic prezzies everyone can do without.

There's some belters.

Anyone struggling to think of gifts for pals who have everything can have the pick of a chrome banana tree for hanging a bunch of fruit, baguette bags to keep the long French bread sticks fresh, and best friend ice trays which produce cat and dog shaped ice cubes.

That's only a small selection of amazing can do withouts.

How have we managed for so long without such creative homewares?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.