THE people of Bolton are being urged to search through their lofts, cellars, garden sheds and sanalysetair cupboards to find crutches, walking frames, sticks and wheelchairs which may be lurking there.

Bolton Round Table is organising a "Crutches Amnesty" where without fear of retribution or embarrassment, people can arrange to have old medical equipment collected and returned to their owners Bolton Hospitals Trust.

Currently, the General Hospital's annual budget for replacing crutches and zimmer frames is £10,000.

Now, throughout October the Round Table in association with Bolton General, Regional Health Authority and Nynex are giving the public the opportunity to ring 01204-418499 and arrange for collection of their unwanted equipment.

In addition a central collection point will be arranged on two Saturdays in October where people can take their equipment along.

The stall outside Bolton Market place on will be manned by Round Table members on Saturday, October 19 and Saturday, October 26 and people can if they are able take equipment along themselves.

Posters promoting the amnesty will be appearing in prime sites across the borough during the next two weeks.

"Knowing people who simply forget they have this equipment I realised there was tremendous potential in organising such a scheme," said Chris Cox , Chairman of Bolton Round Table.

"One pair of crutches costs £60 alone so a great deal of money can obviously be saved and many people can be helped too as the shortage of medical equipment is a national problem which can easily be resolved," he added.

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