OLDER people are being given the chance to grill some of the politicians who will be aiming to get their votes at the forthcoming General Election.

Age Concern in Bolton is holding an Any Questions forum which will allow men and women to put MP Dr Brian Iddon, as well as prospective parliamentary candidates for Bolton South East Haroon Rashid (Conservatives) and Frank Harasiwka (Liberal Democrats), on the spot.

Representatives from other organisations will also be on hand to answer any queries.

They include Dr Jackie Bene, consultant for older people's services at the Royal Bolton Hospital and Mrs Jean Garlick, chair of Wigan and Bolton Health Authority.

Gareth Evans, Age Concern Bolton Chief Officer said people were welcome to come along and put questions to the panel on issues such as pensions, transport, age discrimination and older people poverty.

He added: "The forum is part of our attempts to highlight issues on behalf of older people during National Your Rights week, when all Age Concern organisations will be busy encouraging older people to claim benefits to which they are entitled.

"Now is the opportunity for older people to raise these issues with the people who want to represent them."

The forum takes place from between 2pm and 4pm on Tuesday at the Learning and Resources Centre, on Cross Street, Farnworth. ,