PEOPLE who met Peter Pike at his weekly surgery on Saturday said they would wait to see if the MP was as good as his word.

A total of 14 people queued up at Burnley's Thompson Centre to ask Mr Pike about a range of issues from care for the elderly to nuisance youths.

Doreen Mitton, of Langwyth Road, Burnley, went to lobby on behalf of her 94-year-old mother-in-law who cannot get a place in a nursing home.

She said: "I'm looking after my stepmum and she just can't manage. She can't get into a home and I've been fighting the council about it so I came here for help about that.

"They keep closing homes. I think they're trying to kill the old folk off. I told Mr Pike I wouldn't mind going to Tony Blair about it.

"He said he did not approve of somebody who's 94 living on their own, some people may be capable but she's not."

Christopher Nield, of Hordley Street, Burnley, asked Mr Pike about anti-social behaviour in Rosegrove.

The 38-year-old said: "This is the first time I've met him and if nothing gets done I will be back again.

"He says he is going to write to me to sort this business out but if he doesn't I will be back."

Another person waiting to see the MP was Mohammed Sabhan, of Clive Street, who has known Peter Pike for years. He wanted to talk about his local area.

Mr Sabhan, 67, said: "I have got every respect for this man and the way he has helped the community.

"He has worked very hard and he's such a nice man. I keep asking him to change his mind about standing down at the next election."

It took Peter Pike two hours to see everyone and he estimated their questions would generate 30 to 40 letters which he would write over the weekend.