THE borough's top consultants and nurses have gone some way to easing the pain of heart patients by re-establishing the Bury Heart Care Support Group.

More than 50 patients with heart disease, their friends and family attended the re-launch of the group.

It was originally set up on Valentine's Day in 1994 as part of a nationwide drive to provide aftercare for patients who had undergone coronary treatment.

Now, following the appointment of a consultant cardiologist and a dedicated coronary care nurse in Bury, the group has been re-formed and is now ready to move forward.

Retired nurse Mrs Denise Gribben, who is a founder member of the group, said: "The re-launch was very successful and three people came forward expressing an interest in helping set up a committee. "Unfortunately, because of a lack of publicity and members leaving, the group had all but folded. But now we feel we are ready to go forward and help members with after care and support and advice."

Mrs Cribben added: "The group is run by its members for them to discuss whatever they want; some treat it as a sort of social club. But they are able to find out the answers to the many questions they probably have following their treatment.

"The advice and information they pick-up will, of course, be passed on to their family and through the generations, which could go some way to prevent heart disease."

The group will next meet at 7pm on June 12 in the physiotherapy gym at Bury General Hospital.

For more information ring 0161 761 6070.