ELDERLY people in Bury may have suffered eye damage because of missed appointments during a bus strike, it is claimed.

Optician Mr Beverley Harrison claims that many of his elderly patients were put a risk because eye examinations can spot a variety of diseases and eye problems - including glycoma and cataract.

Now Mr Harrison's practice in Bury town centre is struggling to catch up with appointments to ensure that the elderly come in for eye tests.

The early detection of many diseases, especially in the elderly, is vital to prevent them deteriorating into something more serious.

The manager of the practice, Pauline Ramwell, said: "We are still catching up with the backlog of appointments.

"But they won't have been seen when they should have.

She added: "When you have an eye examination, you can see into the body. It's a health check as much as an eye check."

The effects of the dispute are still being felt for his vulnerable elderly patients.

Mr Harrison, of Harrisons Opticians, Crompton Street, even wrote to the director of First Manchester Buses, Russell Guard, imploring a speedy settlement of the dispute.

His letter was backed by Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce who also wrote to express concerns about how the strike had affected businesses in Bury.

Mr Harrison said the strike had caused "havoc", turning Bury centre into a ghost town during strike days.

He added: "Many of my elderly patients are very overdue for their eye examinations which could mean serious eye conditions will be undetected in the early stages."

The strike was called off after months of one-day actions following five days of negotiations.

The 1,750 First Manchester drivers on industrial action voted to accept a pay and conditions offer after the dispute started in July.

First Manchester Buses manager Russell Guard said: "We wish to apologise to all our passengers who may have been affected by the dispute.

"The task ahead is now one of developing our services to continue to play a major part in providing quality public transport to the benefit of all our customers."