A NEW network of support groups has been launched to help people suffering from lung conditions.

East Lancashire has some of the highest smoking rates in the country, which is the most common cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and NHS chiefs hope the ‘Breathe Easy’ groups will encourage more people to seek help.

Monthly meetings will take place in Burnley, Bacup, Accrington, Clitheroe and Nelson from January, offering advice on diet, exercise and stopping smoking, as well as the chance to meet others affected by the condition.

Barbara Lubomski, respiratory nurse specialist at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Help is available to reduce the impact of COPD and simple things such as eating well, being as active as possible and learning breathing techniques can really help reduce symptoms.

“The Breathe Easy groups run by our respiratory nurses, physiotherapists and healthy lifestyle co-ordinators offer all of this and have the added bonus of being able to meet others in the same boat.”

Barbara and her team were also at the St Peter’s Centre in Burnley last week to showcase some of the trust’s services and encourage passers-by to take a lung function test.

Bob Stewart, 61, from Burnley, has had COPD for four years, but praised staff for helping him lose weight and increase his ‘lung age’ by attending regular exercise classes.

He said: "All the staff I've come into contact with in the past few years have been fantastic, really helpful, and I feel good even though I have COPD."

It is thought about three million people in the UK are affected with COPD, but only 900,000 have been diagnosed. This is because many people who develop symptoms do not get medical help as they often dismiss their symptoms as ‘smokers cough’.

Call 01282 644131 if you are interested in joining.