PLANS to give people with diabetes a stronger voice were unveiled at the annual meeting of Bury Diabetics Support Group.

The group, one of the most active in the North-west, is to club together with other similar organisations to form Diabetics Concern Greater Manchester.

Mr Geoffrey Goldberg, chairman of Bury Diabetics Support Group, said: "The launch of Diabetics Concern Greater Manchester is very important. It brings together other groups like ours under an umbrella organisation which gives us a stronger voice when it comes to lobbying the Government or influencing decisions. The launch will take place at Manchester Town Hall on April 7 and it really will be an occasion."

In the past Bury Diabetics Support has campaigned successfully for a new eye screening camera for people with diabetes who live in Bury, and against the scrapping of prescription home blood-testing kits.

Mr Goldberg said: "Both were very important issues for diabetics. The camera can pick up early warning signs of diabetics, while home testing kits are vital in monitoring blood levels and more accurate than urine tests which the Department of Health wanted to bring in.

"This new organisation will create a stronger campaign body and raise awareness of the condition," said Mr Goldberg, who was re-elected as chairman at the groups annual general meeting.

The local branch also reaffirmed its commitment to providing emotional and practical support and advice to people with the condition. Bury Diabetics Support Group will hold its next meeting at Bury Town Hall, in the Lancashire Fusiliers Room, next Wednesday at 7.30pm. Guest speaker will be Phil Emmott from Bury Primary Care Trust.

A collection will be held at Asda Marketside in Bury on April 14 to support the group's work. The national conference, organised by Diabetics Concern Greater Manchester, will be held on October 1 in Bolton. For more information about the group ring (0161) 796 5165.