A WORCESTER gran who tried suicide after years of suffering what she believed was acne is demanding answers after learning her condition was misdiagnosed.

Shirley-Anne Smith could not even kiss her baby granddaughter because of painful, red lumps around her mouth and nose.

She struggled to eat anything more than soup, lost weight and saw her relationship come under strain.

It was only after plucking up the courage to go to her dentist that she learnt she had a mouth infection and received the relevant treatment.

Now Mrs Smith, of Hollymount Road, Tolladine, wants to be told why her acute condition was not diagnosed earlier by a doctor.

She claims her dentist "was disgusted" by the condition of her mouth and had to remove her two front teeth to cure the infection. The mother-of-three visited him only recently because she has a phobia about going to the dentist.

"Although I had previously suffered from acne I had kept it under control by taking tablets," she said. "But about four years ago swellings started to appear on my nose and mouth. I suffered from searing pain.

"This had a devastating effect on my life. It put a strain on my relationship and caused me to lose weight as I could only eat soup.

"I became so low I even tried an overdose and was planning my own funeral - but I think it was more a cry for help as I couldn't cope.

"It was not until I went to the dentist that he told me I was suffering from a mouth infection that I realised there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

"Since my treatment the spots are clearing up and I have managed to kiss my granddaughter for the first time, which was absolutely great.

"I can't believe the doctors let me suffer for all these years without telling me it was a mouth infection. I'm still in shock discovering the truth - but at least I have my life back."

A Worcestershire Health Authority spokesman said Mrs Smith's complaint was being investigated.