A county support group for sufferers of the debilitating illness M.E. starts meeting in Kidderminster next week.

The North Worcestershire M.E. Support Group will hold get-togethers on the third Wednesday of each month from 2-4pm at Community Action Wyre Forest, Burgage Lodge, 184 Franche Road, Kidderminster.

The first is next Wednesday and is open to all M.E. sufferers, their carers, friends and relatives.

The illness Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, identified in the 1980s, was dubbed "yuppie flu" as its sufferers were often from professional, high stress backgrounds.

Symptoms are often flu-like, plus exhaustion, muscle fatigue, concentration problems and emotional fragility.

For more information check out the group's website www.geocities.com/worcsmegroup