BOLTON South East MP Dr Brian Iddon is calling for an emergency package to bail out Bolton's cash-strapped hospital.

The Labour MP is arranging urgent talks with board members from the Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust to thrash out details of a rescue plan.

His comments follow revelations that the trust could become financially insolvent due to unrelenting pressures.

However, Dr Iddon said the £3 million debt was less than three per cent of the overall hospital budget and "had to be put in proportion".

He said that the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority should have contingency money to give to the trust.

Dr Iddon, whose constituency covers the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "I am fully aware of the pressures that the hospital is facing concerning their A&E, but I had no idea of the budget difficulties.

"Money must be made available by the health authority for contingencies such as these. You can never predict these things. I will do everything I can to help and I would like to talk to them as soon as possible."

Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly said: "I am aware of the financial and service pressures the hospital is facing.

"Having spoken to hospital chief executive, John Brunt, I will be meeting him in the near future to discuss this matter and the way forward."