ELDERLY people from Tyne and Wear travelled to Blackpool yesterday to take part in the tenth pensioners' parliament.

The North-East delegation will join more than 2,500 pensioners from across Britain at the three-day event, which starts today.

Keynote speakers will include agony aunt Claire Rayner, actor Tony Booth - Prime Minister Tony Blair's father-in-law - and this year's TUC president Tony Young, as well as representatives from major pensioners' charities.

Secretary of Houghton-le-Spring Pensioners' Association, Denis Waltham, said: "This is an important event for pensioners everywhere, and our delegation will play a full part.

"It is only right that older people should be able to speak out on their own behalf, and the parliament gives us that opportunity."

Terry Boxall, secretary of Silksworh Pensioners' Association, said: "Now that a Northern Assembly is being proposed, it is important that we ensure the views and concerns of older people are voiced by older people themselves.

"The Pensioners' Parliament is an excellent opportunity for older people to gain the knowledge, experience and confidence to speak out."