FIVE years of hard work and determination has finally paid off for the Pendle and District Multiple Sclerosis Society as they prepare for the official opening of their new resource and information centre.

The centre, which has been funded mainly through a £40,000 grant from the Pendle Primary Trust, will be opened by local MP Gordon Prentice on Saturday, December 8 at 11.30am.

It is based in the annex of Holmefield House, in Barrowford, and offers information, exercise and relaxation to those suffering from MS.

Around £20,000 was spent on the refurbishment of the building, which had previously been used as a rents and rates office and a pet shop, and the remainder of the grant was used to buy equipment and pay the physiotherapist's wages.

The centre is believed to be the third in the UK opened by a Multiple Sclerosis Society Branch.

Manager Peter Smith, 50, of Earby, was diagnosed with MS in 1996. He said the centre would be an important source of information for sufferers.

He said: "People know there is somewhere they can go for information pertinent to sufferers of MS.

"We have two half days of physio, a full day where we do aromatherapy and relaxation and a half day of reike. There is also exercise equipment such as a treadmill and a medimotion cycle, which is superb for people in wheelchairs because it turns the wheels while getting their circulation going and their muscles working."

The group was formed in 1996 as a subsidiary of the Burnley MS group. When the Burnley branch closed a short time later, Pendle took in members from both areas.

Donations have helped the group continue its work and get to the stage where it can apply for funding.

Mr Smith said: "Rolls Royce staff did a sponsored cycle for us, a couple of young ladies raised £900 running the London Marathon this year and two men did the Great North Ru"

Anyone wanting to donate money should contact the centre, which is open five days a week from 9am until 4pm, on 01282 698236.