A FORUM for older people in Darlington is to relaunch to improve the way it fights for its members' needs.

A meeting next month will see the Darlington Older People's Forum close, but it will be immediately followed by the adoption of a new constitution and name.

It is hoped the group will add representatives of professional bodies, including Help the Aged and Age Concern, to its ranks, which will help it to campaign for a better life for people aged over 50.

Chairman Clive Bullock said the aim of the change was to give the forum a new constitution, a special role in the borough and to seek charitable status.

Mr Bullock said he wanted as many interested parties as possible to attend the reconstitution meeting, at Darlington Town Hall on February 8.