A PARKINSON'S disease support group representing 400 people has been officially recognised for its work.

Since its launch two years ago, the Darlington Support Group has worked with Parkinson's sufferers in south Durham.

It has now been approved as an official branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society.

Group founder member Alistair Campbell said achieving branch status signified the vital role the group played in offering support and advice to the community.

The group works with Parkinson's sufferers and their carers, holding monthly meetings at Carmel Convent, in Nunnery Lane, Darlington, to offer advice on coping with the illness.

Mr Campbell, 61, has suffered from Parkinson's disease for 15 years, but said he was lucky the illness did not affect him too severely.

"In the morning it takes me an hour to get out of bed and take my first few paces. Then another hour for the medication to work and enable me to walk," he said.

"I'm fortunate that I don't shake, like many others. I've been lucky and that's why I give a lot of time to the support group and to helping others.

"Our meetings give people a reason to get out of the house and socialise. Parkinson's can be a very embarrassing illness, but we try to help people realise that life isn't that bad."

There are about 400 people with Parkinson's disease in the group's catchment area and it already has strong links with local hospitals and neurology departments.

The inauguration to branch status on May 15 will give the group better recognition but its day-to-day running will stay the same.

Funding will continue to come chiefly from donations, including much collected this week, during Parkinson's Awareness Week.

The new status will allow the group to establish stronger links with sufferers, because the branch will have access to a list of people from the area who have contacted the society in the past but may not have heard of the Darlington group.

A committee will be set up to run the branch, with Mr Campbell as chairman.