A WOMAN who set up a support group for families of sufferers of a deadly bug has offered her help to the family of Denise Hendry, the wife of former Blackburn Rovers idol Colin.

Thirty-five-year-old Denise, who remains 'poorly but stable' in Royal Preston Hospital four weeks after being admitted with septicaemia, was taken ill after a liposuction operation.

Doreen Marsden, of Moor Hey Farm, Ribchester, said her heart went out to the Hendry family and wanted to offer her support to them either now or when Denise came out of hospital.

Doreen set up the Lee Sparke NF Foundation named after her son, who died from a severe streptococcal infection dubbed 'galloping gangrene', which is related to the infection Denise is suffering from.

She said: "I know just what they are going through at the moment and I want to plea for any members of her family who feel they need support, to tell them they have somewhere to turn.

"With an infection like this, you feel so alienated and you are led to believe that you are to blame.

"It is horrific. I want them to know there is somewhere they can go."

Anyone who would like more information about the organisation can contact 01254 878701 or go to the website at nfsuk@org.uk