ORGANISERS of Somerset’s first Coeliac Disease Food and Health event hope it will lead to the setting up of a countywide support group.

Over 200 people attended last week’s event at Woodlands Castle, in Ruishton.

NHS community dieticians and a hospital specialist gave talks and there were also stalls, presentations and cookery demonstrations.

Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune condition caused by intolerance to gluten, which can cause bloating, diarrhoea or constipation and tiredness to more serious health problems like osteoporosis and infertility and, if untreated, can develop into cancer of the small bowel.

There are about 1,300 patients diagnosed with the disease in Somerset, but estimates suggest there could be up to 9,150 people undiagnosed.

Eileen Mitchell, the Coeliac UK Dorchester Group organiser, said: “We hope this event might be a launch pad to get a support group established for the whole of Somerset.

“There is so much information now available about the disease and so much more choice of gluten free foods and products, but it is still the advice, experience and support of others with the condition that can be of most help and value.”