A NEW advice centre has opened helping multiple sclerosis sufferers to cope with the condition.The information point in Gorleston is one of only three in East Anglia run by the Great Yarmouth and District branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A NEW advice centre has opened helping multiple sclerosis sufferers to cope with the condition.

The information point in Gorleston is one of only three in East Anglia run by the Great Yarmouth and District branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Based in Baker Street, the facility is staffed entirely by volunteers and will offer assistance and re-assurance for sufferers, their families and carers.

MP Tony Wright, mayor and mayoress Tony and Sara Smith, branch members and charity officials were amongst those attending last Friday's opening ceremony.

The information point was partly funded by a �2,765 donation from Yarmouth based energy company Amec.

Joy Fowler-Dixon experienced the trauma of having to cope with being diagnosed with the illness nine years ago.

She said: “It took me at least two years to come to terms with the fact that I had multiple sclerosis. It affected my ability to live my life in a large way and I had to give up work as a carer.

“I deteriorated rapidly at first and had no feeling in my hands, but I have stabilised through taking medication. It affects everyone differently.”

Yarmouth branch committee member Joy, 54, from Bradwell draws on her experience to help fellow sufferers.

Around 100 people aged 18-25 in the Yarmouth area are diagnosed each year with MS, which is a high cluster area for the illness.

MS society, development support officer Teresa Dixon said: “It used to be common for people not to be diagnosed until their 40s or 50s now it is in their 20s.

“The tests were not available in the past, but now that MS is spotted earlier we want to take the needs of young people more into account. It is important they feel that facilities like this have something to offer them.”

Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological condition affecting young adults, with around 100,000 sufferers in the UK

The information point is open Tuesday and Friday 11.30am to 2.30pm and Wednesday 6pm to 8pm.

Contact: Great Yarmouth Multiple Sclerosis Society on 07758 123653.