VICTIMS of a mysterious illness need space to meet fellow sufferers.

Blackburn's lupus support group began four years ago but organiser Pauline Bilsborough said the group can no longer afford to hire a room.

They now meet at Blackburn Library's coffee bar, but cannot hold evening meetings or invite speakers to talk about the disease without a private room.

Lupus is best known for the red "butterfly" shaped rash which sometimes covers the nose and cheeks.

But it can cause the body's immune system to go into overdrive and attack itself -- causing devastating damage to the kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, muscles and joints.

It can be hard to diagnose as it can mimic other illnesses including multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis -- leaving patients suffering for years without proper treatment. Though it's incurable, medication can help control the symptoms.

If anyone has a room suitable for about a dozen people to meet one evening a month, they can call Pauline on 01254 670890, or Lois Rimmer on 01254 240640.

Anyone suffering the disease can call Pauline, or visit the coffee bar at 1.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month.