BOLTON' S Mayor topped off a year's help for diabetics by unveiling a plaque at the town's Diabetes Centre. Cllr Peter Birch, who is himself a diagnosed diabetic, has spearheaded dozens of fund raising initiatives during his year in office. And the town's first citizen has helped pull in thousands of pounds for the British Diabetic Association and Diabetes Education in Bolton. The cash will be used to develop education programmes.

Dr John Dean, consultant physician at the Royal Bolton Hospital, has a special interest in diabetes and helped organise the events to raise awareness of diabetes.

He said: "I am delighted with the way the awareness has gone and would like to thank the mayor for the tremendous support he and his wife have given.

"The awareness year has had a number of additional benefits. It has pulled together all people involved in diabetes care and will help us to work together more effectively in future."

The plaque, unveiled at the ceremony at the centre on Chorley Street, Bolton, highlights the commitment to continue to provide information about diabetes.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.