A group which aims to improve the lives of those with lung disease is encouraging more people to join to access support and to make new friends.

The Great Yarmouth and Waveney Breathe Easy Group brings together people affected by lung disease and their families and friends to offer support and help manage their conditions.

About 5,000 people in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney areas have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which has the main symptom of breathlessness.

The group also welcomes people with other lung diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

Meetings aim to bring people together for activities including talks about techniques to improve such conditions and also social events and the opportunity to meet and talk to others in a similar situation.

The meetings are supported by the James Paget University Hospital's respiratory nursing team, with advice and information available at every session.

The group meet on the second Monday of every month at The Kings Centre in Queen Anne Road, Great Yarmouth – and more members are always welcome.

The first meeting of 2018, on January 8, will see a talk on managing your wellbeing.

Heather Matthews, respiratory nursing service team leader at the James Paget hospital, said: 'There are thousands of people in the area with lung disease and the group is here to offer mutual support through what can be a difficult time.

'The meetings and speakers give you more information and advice about what is out there to help you and how to live with your condition, and participants also learn from each other.

'We always welcome new members and if you're looking for a new project or challenge you can also get involved in running the meetings and suggesting or organising outings or events for the group.

'Previously we've had day trips and a variety of activities that you can take part in to ease your condition or just to have some fun with others who know what you're going through.'

For more information about the group and to register your interest in attending in 2018 call the respiratory nursing team on 01493 453423.