FUNDING at the Royal Bolton Hospital will be investigated if the Conservatives are elected next year.

Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, has vowed to take up Bolton's case individually next year, if his party is in power.

Health services in Bolton were put under the spotlight at the Conservative Party Conference in Bournemouth yesterday.

The Conservatives accused the Government of not funding towns such as Bolton properly.

A short film about The Royal Bolton Hospital was shown to hundreds of delegates before the Conservative candidate for Bolton West, Philip Allott, made a short speech.

He said: "I spoke about the issue of underfunding at the hospital -- the fact that we are £14.3 million short of what we should be getting in Bolton is something that needs addressing.

"I also spoke about the fact that the hospital is not funded for 20 per cent of patients attending the accident and emergency department because they are not from Bolton.

"I am delighted that Mr Lansley has vowed to investigate Bolton's problems, if we get into power."