A GROUP of volunteers have joined the fight to help older people have more of a voice in a town's affairs.

The volunteers will be distributing leaflets and posters to let as many people as possible know about the Growing Older in Darlington strategy being launched later this month.

More than 500 local people have been involved in the strategy, which has been put together largely by older people working with Darlington Borough Council's social services, housing and the health and voluntary services. The strategy reveals a number of issues that older people in the area think are important.

These include remaining independent and active, having access to cultural and educational opportunities, reducing social isolation and age discrimination and having better access to transport, services and buildings.

Councillor Marian Swift, who will be chairing the launch of the strategy on February 27 at the Dolphin Centre, said, "Everyone has really worked hard in putting together the strategy and promoting it to older people. By becoming involved, older people in Darlington can have a real say in their own future and in turn, make that future better and brighter for themselves and other older people in the town."

Anyone interested in being involved with Growing Older in Darlington and/or the workshops, can contact Louise Graham or Hilary Allen, at: CVS, Pease House, 12a Horsemarket, Darlington, DL1 5PW, telephone (01325) 254662.