AN ASTHMA group has decided to leave its national organisation and go it alone to help local people.

The Blackburn Area Asthma Support Group has decided to become independent of the National Asthma Campaign so organisers can continue to spend locally-raised money in the Blackburn area.

Ann Wainwright, group secretary, said: "We feel very strongly that we must give our efforts to helping local asthma sufferers first and national issues second.

"We are very sorry this has had to happen, but we feel the activities we have arranged for the families in East Lancashire could not be lost.

"The children especially did not want to curtail their club activities as they feel that they are proving they can do anything even with asthma."

She said the Blackburn group organisers were encouraging their members to continue being members of the National Asthma Campaign.

The group's next meeting will be on Wednesday March 1 in the lecture theatre, Blackburn Royal Infirmary at 7.30pm.

Events planned for the future include advice evenings, a shopping trip to Meadowhall, weekly swimming sessions and fundraising events.

The support group's children's section, called the Wheezer Beezers, are also planning a trip to the dome as well as days out abseiling, orienteering and trying other sports.

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