NEW and improved area forums have returned to Bolton - six months after they were suspended for June's council elections.

The meetings give members of the public the chance to quiz council leaders and have their say on issues affecting the community.

Their relaunch was delayed after the elections while a review and revamp of the system was carried out.

But opposition councillors have criticised the council's new Liberal Democrat leaders for not getting them up and running sooner.

There are now nine area forums across in Bolton which will meet six times a year.

The format for each meeting is a 30-minute drop-in session starting at 6.30pm where residents can speak to council officers on an individual basis about any issues.

The main meeting starts at 7pm and will include a question and answer session and presentations about various issues affecting Bolton.

On the agenda this time is an introduction to the new way the forums will work, a discussion on their names and a presentation about how the Council's budget is put together.

Free flu vaccines will also be available at the forums to over 65s and people at risk of chronic illness.

The first meeting of the new forum at Great Lever, Harper Green and Rumworth was last night.

Others planned are:

Farnworth and Kearsley - Monday, October 18, at Age Concern, Cross Street, Farnworth.

Heaton & Lostock and Hulton - Wednesday, October 20, at Lostock Parish Hall.

Westhoughton North & Chew Moor and Westhoughton South - Wednesday, November 10, at Westhoughton High School.

Astley Bridge and Smithills - Thursday, November 11 at North Bolton 6th Form college, Smithills Dean Road.

Horwich & Blackrod and Horwich North-east - Tuesday, November 16 at Horwich Resource Centre, Beaumont Road.

Bradshaw and Bromley Cross- Wednesday, November 17 at St Brendans School, Brookfold Lane.

Crompton and Halliwell - Wednesday, November 24 at St Thomas' Halliwell Primary School, Eskrick Street.

Breightmet, Darcy Lever & Little Lever and Tonge with the Haulgh - Wednesday, December 1 at Moorgate Primary School, Entwistle Street.