TOWN Hall bosses in Bolton have handled around 100 requests for information since the Freedom of Information Act came into force six months ago.

According to Bolton Council figures, all were handled within the 20 days allowed by law and no one has yet paid for any information requested.

The legislation, introduced on January 1, is aimed at giving people access to the records of public bodies, including councils, the police and the NHS.

It allows people to request facts and figures on current issues as well as from local authority files dating back years.

Requests received so far have included questions around councillors' and chief officers' expenses, the council's relationship with the North West Regional Assembly and school dinners at Bolton schools.

Cllr Barbara Ronson, leader of the council, said the system had worked very well so far.

She said: "The fact that we haven't charged anyone is due to the fact that the information has been easily available.

"It shows that there isn't a lot hidden away that is difficult to access although that doesn't mean to say we will not be asked more difficult questions in future.

"Freedom of Information has introduced a new culture to the council and we want to make it even easier by looking at how it is stored and how we can make our responses even quicker."

If it takes staff more than 18 hours to collate information to answer a request, a charge of £450 or more can be imposed.

The council can also charge for postage and photocopying.