The family of an ill woman from Blackburn say they are struggling to get their loved one back to the UK for treatment after she was diagnosed with a blood clot on her brain in Turkey.

Polly Bamber, 68, moved to Turkey a few years ago from the Green Lane area of Blackburn.

Over Christmas and New Year, Polly was admitted to hospital as she was waking up in the early hours struggling to breathe.

Doctors diagnosed Polly with pneumonia, and she was treated with antibiotics after a nine-day stay at hospital.

After having routine scans, she was found to have fluid in her right lung and was transferred to a hospital in Antalya to drain her lung and was given more antibiotics for an infection.

Her great-niece, Sinnead Alexandra, from Rishton, says that Polly was paralysed and completely unresponsive, being tube-fed and given oxygen to help her breathe.

She said: "The hospitals she is in are both private hospitals, so they are expensive.

"My Aunt Polly has no insurance as it’s Turkish law that it's unavailable for people over 65 years old.

"She has had to fork out the costs herself, as well as my mum helping with funds.

"She was discharged and progressing well when my mum had to return home to UK.

"After a couple of weeks with friends checking in on her, she’s been found collapsed on the floor after falling and was confused and delirious."

Now, as Polly is showing signs of improvement, Sinnead and the rest of Polly's family have set up a GoFundMe to raise money to meet the cost of Polly's medical bills, as the hospital says she is healthy enough to fly to the UK to be with family and get treatment.

This will cost between £20,000 to £40,000, as Polly needs to lie flat in the plane and requires a nurse or paramedic to travel with her due to the severity of her condition.

Sinnead added: "My mum and my auntie's friends took turns to stay with her, but her funds are now completely gone.

"We as a family are trying to help as much as we can but it is very expensive, so this is a very last resort.

"If you could please donate or even just share the GoFundMe far and wide for help, we as a family will be eternally grateful."

The family has currently raised £360 and aims to reach at least £5,000.

To view the GoFundMe, search 'Hospital funds for Aunty P'.