MORE than half of Bolton's pensioners are scared to go out at night, a new survey claims.

The poll conducted by MORI and commissioned by Help the Aged, shows that in Northern England, half of people aged 65 or over questionned believed crime had increased in their area.

And 53 per cent were worried about an intruder breaking into their home.

A quarter of those questionned in the region also admitted they felt unsafe using public transport at night.

Mervyn Kohler, head of public affairs at Help the Aged, said: "This survey implies their perception is of a hostile world.

"Their fear of crime is likely to stem from degradation in their community as much as from the threat of violence."

The national survey concentrated on over-65s whose incomes were less than £6,500 a year.