POLITICAL parties in Bolton are struggling to recruit new members, according to a town hall chief.

Cllr Martyn Cox, the council's executive member for culture, said that fewer people than ever were showing an interest in taking part in politics.

He was speaking after his party, the Liberal Democrats, took the unusual step of advertising in the Bolton Evening News for new members.

The advert invited people curious about the party to write and ask for more details.

But the two other mainstream groups rebuked his claims saying their membership was rising.

Cllr Cox believes many are put off getting involved because they are fed up with "Ya-boo" politics. He urged people to come forward and play a part in the running of their town.

"We are all struggling to recruit members, perhaps the other parties are less keen to admit this but it is a big problem for all of us," he said.

"People need to realise that they can make a difference and help shape their environment.

"The town hall spends around £300 million a year and we need people to come forward and decide how it should be spent."

Cllr Cox joined the council only four years ago but has since become part of the all-powerful council executive. Tory whip Cllr Andy Morgan said his party had used billboards for the first time during the local and European election in June in a bid to attract new members.

"It is hard work attracting people because many are suspicious of political parties - but our membership is up," he said.

"We are starting to see more and more people joining up and we are positive about the future."

Labour leader Cliff Morris said his party's recruitment was going "quite well".

He said: "More than 60 people attended a meeting in Bolton West last week and we gained about four or five new members."