NEW Leigh new MP Andy Burnham is backing a bid to improve treatment for women who suffer from painful gynaecological disorders.

Mr Burnham has agreed to join an all-party Parliamentary group lending support for better facilities and a quicker diagnosis of endometriosis - a condition which causes chronic menstrual pain - following an approach from the Warrington group, which includes women from the Leigh area.

They will be lobbying MPs at Westminster on Monday to raise awareness of the condition - the second most common gynaecological disorder - that affects one in ten women.

Golborne member Audrey Sullivan was diagnosed with the condition two and a half years ago when she was admitted as an emergency case to Billinge Hospital with ovarian cysts.

Since then, she has had four operations, but is still not cured.

She decided she needed to find out more about the condition and discovered the Warrington support group.

She said: "It's good to be able to talk to someone else in the same position.

"Endometriosis causes continuing recurrent chronic pain and other symptoms which can make life difficult or even intolerable.

"The condition can have a lasting effect on a woman's self-image, sexuality and fertility, and the widespread effects are felt not only by the woman herself, but also by family and friends trying to cope with the problems which can result."

The society is calling for the establishment of specialist care centres for those severely affected, a national programme of awareness raising, greater recognition among health carers to reduce the delay in diagnosis and greater support from the government.

Co-ordinator from the Warrington group, Christine France, said: "The lobby is a fantastic chance to get endometriosis on the political agenda.

"I started having pain at 14, I was diagnosed at 27 and several years down the road I am still suffering.

"I will do anything I can to avoid other woman going through what I have experienced."

The support group is for woman in the Leigh, Golborne, Ashton, Atherton and outlying areas.

Anyone interested is invited to the next meeting on September 5. For further details contact Kath McNulty on 07765 220 398 or Christine by email: christine.france@aeat.co.uk or for details of the society, see www.endo.org.uk