OVER the next few weeks, pro and anti Europeans will be battling for the hearts and minds of Bolton voters as a poll gets underway to find out their views. A mock referendum on the single European currency is being run in Bolton West by the Observer newspaper and BBC TV's Newsnight programme. Big names from both sides of the political divide are expected to descend on the constituency to try and woo voters in time for polling day.

But will anybody be there to listen? Does this issue dominating the political headlines interest the average voter?

The BEN went to one part of Bolton West -Market Street Westhoughton - to ask people about the single currency and their views on a referendum.

Floating voter Darren Heyes, 25, who owns the Food For Thought shop was typical.

He said: "I think it should be up to the people to decide but I must admit I do not really understand it.

"I would like to know more about it but I do not know if I could be bothered going to meetings to find out.

"Basically I think there are more important things than a single currency - you only have to look at the number of empty shops in Westhoughton to see that."

Marion Tracey of the Creations flower shop said: "I do understand the single currency but I've not really given it that much thought.

"I don't really think I would go to a political meeting unless it was something I was really interested in. I would definitely go if it was about bringing back hanging.

"I do agree with a referendum but I think there are more vital issues than a single currency."

Former miner Edward Slater, 61, of Chorley Road said the debate would not dent his very definite views.

"I do not know that much about the single currency but as far as I am concerned we should come out of the Common Market altogether. "The way things are going we will end up as part of a Federal Europe and I do not think that is any good for us. People have died for our our independence and we should keep it."

Shop steward Michael Claa of Holden Lee was equally as entrenched... but in the opposite camp.

"I support a single currency. I believe we should have more links with Europe full stop. The majority of other countries want it and we will be left isolated without it."

"But I agree that it should go to the vote and the average person on the street should decide."

Darren Pemberton, 30, of Church Street, Westhoughton was the only person we spoke to who would consider voting for the Referendum Party candidate at the next election.

He was unsure about implications of a European currency but said: "It is an important issue and the politicians are split so it is about time the people on the street had their say."

Playgroup leader and busy mum Sheila Hart, 33, of Coverdale Road, was bored by the arguments about of a single currency.

"I would not bother going to meetings but I still think people should be consulted.

"There are a lot of people who are interested and they should have their say. I don't understand it so I'll leave it to those who know what they are talking about."

Her business partner Sharon Ward, 33, of Collingwood Way agreed. "My husband is interested in a single currency because he is a business studies lecturer.

"But I have never really thought about it and I don't have the time to worry or find out about it."

A-level politics student Jenny Howarth, 16, said: "I do not really know enough about a single currency to decide one way or the other.

"People do not understand the implications. There are too many political myths and the politicians make it difficult for people to understand.

"But in my opinion a referendum would be a good thing so people could be taught to understand."

Herbert Lee, 75, of Allicks Fold, said: "I know nothing about it at all and I am not the least bit interested. I would not even bother to vote."

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