A SUPPORT group dedicated to bringing together stroke sufferers and their carers has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

More than 40 members of Blackburn and District Stroke Club toasted the success of the group with a celebration dinner this month.

Chairman Jean Clunas said: "The club enables people to get out and have a social life, meet new people and for carers to have a self help group.

"Members help each other, I think otherwise they would become very isolated."

The group was set up by the Stroke Association charity as part of a drive to get local support groups established throughout the North West.

Mrs Clunas, of Shear Bank Gardens, Blackburn, said she had seen major steps taken in the last two decades to help people who suffer a stroke.

She said: "When the club first started there was absolutely nothing. There was the charity but that was it. If you had a stroke it was seen as just something that happened.

"All hospitals now should have a stroke unit. Blackburn Royal Infirmary has had one for some time now and people who have had a stroke are admitted there.

"When the club started there was nothing like it at all. There was no specialist care. You were also treated in a different way. You used to see people walking around with leg irons which you don't see now."

She went on: "Now people are taught basic actions like sitting up, getting their balance and learning to walk again. With the right treatment people can regain independence and get back to work."

Friends and relatives who care for victims benefited massively from meeting other people in their situation, Mrs Clunas said.

She added: "Some gain a lot of confidence because there is a lot of frustration looking after somebody who has had a stroke.

"You can have a personality change from a stroke. People who had pleasant a temperament before can become quite horrible and difficult."

For more information contact Mrs Clunas on 01254 661947.