THE voices of older people in the Whitby area will be heard loud and clear thanks to a group launched this week.

The Whitby and District Older People's Action Group is made up of over-50s who want to air the views, concerns and anxieties of older people in the area.

It is supported by Age Concern, whose development officer Richard Stevenson said: "An older people's forum in the Whitby area is vital to link with the Government's guidance in developing new health service initiatives, in particular the National Service Framework for Older People.

"Age Concern has provided initial support to establish the forum, but eventually the forum will stand independently and will be a charity in its own right."

When it is fully established, the forum will become affiliated to the Better Government for Older People network, which provides direct links with Government, other major authorities and agencies.