COMMITMENTS to protect pharmacy funding have been welcomed by a Bolton chain.

Thorrun Govind, who works for Sykes Chemists, has met with candidates standing in Bolton West during the General Election campaign and says she is confident that they would help to protect vital services in the town.

The Bolton News reported last year how Ms Govind feared that smaller chemists will be forced to close due to funding cuts being imposed by the government.

The pharmacist, who has met with Labour’s Julie Hilling, Conservative Chris Green, and Liberal Democrat Rebecca Forrest, has been encouraged by what she has heard ahead of Thursday’s election.

She said: “I believe the candidates I have spoken to are committed to protecting community pharmacies.

“The Labour and Lib Dem manifestos, in particular, have shown support in terms of stopping cuts that will hurt pharmacies and vulnerable patients in Bolton.

“I think this is definitely a ‘Vote NHS’ election and I would urge everyone to get out and vote on Thursday.

“All the talk nationally is about Brexit and economic issues, but there are things happening here in Bolton that MPs can have a big impact on.

“Sykes Chemists is a local chain that employs local people.

“The government wants to have an Amazon-style delivery service for medication, but that does not take into account the number of people who come to us every day for help and advice.”

Ms Hilling, who is hoping to take back the seat she lost to Mr Green in 2015, visited a Sykes pharmacy on Friday.

Labour’s manifesto pledges to halt all cuts to pharmacy services.

She said: “I was fascinated to learn about the intricacies of funding for pharmacies and the valuable work they undertake in our communities.

“It would be so wrong to be ordering prescriptions online and having them delivered like Amazon because we need pharmacists there to give personal advice and support.

“So I’m delighted that Labour has committed to stop the pharmacy cuts and make sure that everyone has access to pharmacy services, particularly in rural or remote communities.”

Ms Hilling has also launched an online crowdfunding page to help her through the final days of the election campaign.

The Crowdpac website states that she “needs financial support to be able to fight the Tory machine”.

It adds: “With your help Julie can overturn the slim Tory majority in Bolton West and stop Theresa May and her wealthy Tory backers helping the rich get richer at the expense of people like you and me.”

After being launched on Friday morning, the page had raised almost £400 of a £2,000 target within its first 12 hours.

Last month, Ms Forrest visited the pharmacy and said that the Liberal Democrat plan to put an extra penny on income tax would help ensure funding remains in place to protect pharmacies and other local health services.

The Conservative manifesto states that the party would “support more integrated working, including ensuring community pharmacies can play a stronger role to keep people healthy outside hospital within the wider health system”.

Voters go to the polls this Thursday and The Bolton News will be providing live news and reaction from the election count through the night at theboltonnews.co.uk