SUFFERERS of a rare condition in East Lancashire are set to benefit from a specialist treatment centre to be built at Royal Preston Hospital.

A fundraising initiative across the county aims to raise £50,000 to build the treatment centre for people with neuromuscular conditions.

There are currently seven patients from East Lancashire who attend Royal Preston Hospital for treatment, as it provides the only service of its kind in the county.

If successful, the money raised will provide a facility to ensure that outpatients from the area with conditions affecting nerves and muscles can receive regular intravenous treatment, detailed assessments, general support and advice on diet and relaxation, massage and physiotherapy techniques.

Further benefits will include specialist-nursing care, a raised awareness of the conditions and the creation of a recognised centre of excellence in Lancashire, which will lead the way in its field across the North West.

The clinic is to be built as a glass annex to the ward where patients with the condition are treated and is the inspiration for naming the fundraising efforts "The Glasshouse Appeal".

Samantha Crayston, a neuromuscular nurse specialist, said: "We are indebted to the fund-raising team for their unbelievable efforts."