THE Royal Bolton Hospital's one-star rating is not an "absolute disaster", according to Bolton North East MP David Crausby.

But the Labour politician will be putting pressure on health secretary Alan Milburn when parliament resumes after the summer recess to ensure that Bolton is "properly funded".

Mr Crausby said the problems highlighted in Tuesday's Government report were a management issue and were not caused by finance alone.

He called for better bed management from the hospital but acknowledged the "considerable pressure" in which doctors and nurses were under, especially in accident and emergency. Mr Crausby said: "This issue isn't about funding it is about management."