A MULTIPLE sclerosis information awareness day is being held in Romsey this month.

It’s in the Cornmarket on Saturday, August 23 and is from 9am onwards, and the day has been organised by the MS Society Southampton and District Branch which covers Romsey and surround villages.

The branch already stages regular exercise classes in Chilworth for people with the neurological condition which affects around 100,000 people in the UK.

Bosses at the Southampton and District branch say that it is important that people with the condition exercise regularly because it helps keep them moving and also helps reduce fatigue.

A spokesperson said: “We have a transport policy which allows people who can’t get to the groups normally to join us and they pay 30 per cent of the transport costs and the branch covers the rest. We have a dedicated CAB representative to help with any benefit queries they have so we do a lot to offer sufferers within our area. What we have found is that there are 700 people out there in our area who have MS but only 170 are members of our branch which leaves many hundreds of people out there not getting the support that they could be entitled to.”

The branch is also there to assist family members and carers who look after people with the condition.

“The main reason we do fundraising at the moment is to keep our exercise groups alive as it is the most positive intervention for MS sufferers by activating the muscles. The exercise groups are lead by a physiotherapist or a muscle activator specialist depending on which venue people visit,” said the spokesperson.

Exercise classes are held at Chilworth Village Hall on Tuesdays every other Tuesday between 1pm and 3.30pm and the next session is Aug 19.

Anyone who would like more information is asked to contact the branch on 07917 558613.