BRITAIN'S leading epilepsy organisation is calling on the people of Halton to get involved in the relaunch of its Widnes branch.

Sue Blake, regional services manager for Epilepsy Action, is urging volunteers to come forward to replace officers who have stepped down or retired.

Mrs Blake is hoping more people in Halton will join her in helping to lead the Widnes epilepsy group so they can continue to provide support, advice and information to those who need it.

She said: 'Our Widnes branch has been in existence for the last nine years and has helped scores of local families since that time.

'The officers who have served over the last few years feel that their needs have changed and naturally want to stand down in their roles after serving in them for several years.

'Unfortunately, no one else within the group wanted to take over the group leadership and I would en-courage anyone with an interest in epilepsy to get in touch with us.'

More than 300,000 people in the UK have epilepsy and 40 million people worldwide.

Epilepsy is three times more common than multiple sclerosis and more than three times as common as Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy.

There are 1,000 epilepsy-related deaths a year, 600 of which are attributable to SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). Similarly, epilepsy claims more lives in England and Wales each year than Aids and cot-death combined.

Research has found that one person in 50 will develop epilepsy at some time in their life, while one in 20 will have a single epileptic seizure - which suggests that more people in the borough need to know exactly what epilepsy is all about.

Mrs Blake, who has been involved with Epilepsy Action for a number of years, fears that the Widnes base may collapse due to lack of interest from the Widnes and Runcorn communities, and she said it would be extremely sad as countless families have benefited from their efforts.

She added: 'There must be many people living in Widnes and the surrounding area who would make valuable additions to the group.

'People living with epilepsy can feel very isolated. It can be a baffling and misunderstood condition. Misdiagnosis rates are high and people don't always get the best treatment or levels of support.

'After all the years of hard work it would be very disheartening to watch the group fold now.

'We just need that little bit of local commitment to build on what has already been achieved.'

National Epilepsy Week takes place this week, and joining the Widnes group would be the ideal tonic for Mrs Blake and her team of volunteers as they have been working tirelessly to raise epilepsy awareness in the borough and are desperate to get new faces on-board.

If you are interested in joining the group, contact Jayne Burton on 0151 425 2302 or Sue Blake on 01226 723292.

If you need any confidential advice or information there is a Freephone epilepsy service on 0800 800 5050.