CARE staff submitted their petition for a pay rise at the council's budget meeting.

Staff from Bolton Cares, a council-owned adult care company, handed their petition to Mayor Cllr Elaine Sherrington at Wednesday evening's meeting.

Support worker Christine Collins told the assembled councillors: "I can attest to the fact staff work really hard in often exhaustive conditions."

Bolton Cares staff are asking for a pay rise of at least two per cent following a new pay structure approved by Bolton Council's cabinet.

Pay rises were awarded to council staff, the lowest paid will receive up to seven per cent.

However, Bolton Cares staff are employed separately and not part of this new structure.

Bolton Cares also asked the council to reconsider their decision over a £300,000 cut to the budget. Miss Collins said: "This can only lead to tighter budgets."

She asked "how is it fair" that Bolton Cares staff are not offered a rise when council staff are? She said a pay rise would help staff when the cost of living is "at an all time high".