CONFIDENTIALITY laws have meant a club for stroke patients has had to temporarily close.

Although the Teesdale After-Stroke Club has no shortage of volunteers to help with its running, a lack of members means it has had to stop meeting.

Volunteers say the Data Protection Act means the once thriving club is no longer able to receive names of stroke victims from social services.

However, they are hoping social services may still be able to refer patients to the club and are appealing for anybody interested in joining to get in contact.

The club secretary, Dorothy Barker, said: "We would like to think there's no demand for us, but unfortunately people still suffer from strokes.

"We've got all the volunteers, but our main problem is because of the confidentiality laws, we used to get all the names but now we can't.

"However, there's no reason why stroke patients shouldn't be told about us, even if we can't have their names."

The club once had up to 14 members meeting at Claire House in Barnard Castle for two hours every Wednesday.

However, as members got older the membership declined.

The club provides an opportunity for patients to get together and also provides a break for carers.

Refreshments and activities are organised and the club regularly used to go out for lunch.

Mrs Barker added: "After a stroke, a lot of people may feel alone and think there's nobody else feeling like they do.

"But the club's a good social occasion and we all fit in together and that's one of the main ways it helps people."

Anyone interested in becoming a member can contact Mrs Barker or her husband, Stanley, on (01833) 631299.