ELECTION-weary voters are urged to turn out for the European elections next Thursday.

It is important everyone elegible to vote puts a cross on the ballot paper this time. EVERY single one will count as proportional representation is introduced for the first time.

It's no use people in a Labour stronghold like ours shrugging off their rights, and saying they won't bother because their vote won't really be needed.

Believe me, this time it WILL make a difference.

And, though you may not accept it or have heard about it, Europe has done a lot for the Leigh area, providing, among other things, funds for the modern apprenticeships scheme, college courses and new infrastructure.

It doesn't only order what size of bananas we can eat - the sort of rubbish that is generally picked up on.

Standing Leigh Euro MP of 10 years, Terry Wynn, is on the campaign trail, along with another 109 candidates, who will be hoping to be one of the successful 10 in the North West returned to Strasbourg.

This week he recalled the time 20 years ago when, as a Platt Bridge councillor, he encountered two old ladies struggling up hill on zimmers to reach the local polls.

He told them support was so strong they really needn't have bothered. But he was jumped on by the duo, who reminded him people had died to give them the right to vote - and they never missed their chance. Good on 'em.

So get out there and exert your right.

It'll probably be worth going - even if it's only to have a gander at the ballot paper - on which the star name is Douglas Firkin Flood representing the English Independent Humanist Party.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.