OLDER people in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa are to have more say in how public services are run following the appointment of a pensioners' "tsar."

Worcestershire County Council's social services department has teamed up with a number of other agencies to appoint Eric Brooker, in a new post, as the county's first Involvement Officer for Older People.

Social services worked in partnership with Worcestershire Health Authority and Age Concern to fund the post and help improve services for older people throughout the county.

Eric, who will be based at Worcester's County Hall, said: "When talking to older people around Worcestershire there does seem to be a genuine desire on the part of most residents to have more of a say in how public services are run."

Over the next few months he plans to organised meeting days with older people in different parts of the county to discuss local issues and ways of improving user involvement on an individual and collective level.

Eric is keen to hear from people who want to speak up and get involved and is also willing to visit groups and speak to them about user involvement.

To contact him call (01905) 728558.