FOUNDERS of the East Lancashire ME support group are forging ahead to gain recognition from Government health bodies to help sufferers of the illness.

ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) is something the group's founder Audrey Atwood knows only too well.

Mrs Atwood was in her early 50s when the condition struck. She was teaching at a primary school in Shadsworth, Blackburn, and needed nine months off work to gain strength. It was not until three years later that a medical friend of her husband's told her what she was suffering from.

"It was actually something of a relief to find out what was wrong even when I learned there was no known cure for it," she said.

The condition was not recognised by most GPs in the early 1980s and ME was often put down to some psychological disorder such as depression."

Around 12 years ago Mrs Atwood began a support group which has around 170 members. She writes regularly to all local MPs and is looking towards lobbying with health officials to set up a clinic for sufferers in the area.

At a recent meeting the group heard a morale boosting talk from Dr Andrew Wright, GP and medical director of the Complete Hormone Clinic, at Bolton.

He spoke about research into the illness, noting that the majority of it went on outside the UK notably America and Australia.

Latest treatments in conventional and complementary medicines were discussed as were the findings of the research into changes in the nervous, hormonal and immune system.

"Hopefully evidence from research findings will help counter the all-pervading cynicism which once existed regarding the illness and to which many members have been exposed," said publicity officer Sheila Fish.

The group will meet at 7.30pm at Wilpshire Methodist Church on March 23, when Mrs Fish will talk on Reiki for self-healing. Inquiries to Mrs Fish on 01254 826393.