A COFFEE morning is being held to raise money to help Worcester people suffering from a fragile bone disease.

The Worcester National Osteoporosis Society Support Group will hold the event at the Guildhall on Friday, June 29, from 10am to noon.

"As June is National Osteoporosis Month we would encourage everyone to come along and support the NOS," said group secretary Muriel Jeffs.

"There will also be an opportunity to speak to members of the group and find out more about osteoporosis and the work of the NOS locally.

"This is a disease which affects a frightening number of people, causing chronic pain and disability.

"It mostly affects those over 50 - as many as one in three women and one in 12 men - but can strike at more or less any age.

"We can do a lot to protect our own bones right through life but people think it won't happen to them.

"Come and find out more from us, and make sure you are doing all you can to avoid the disease."

Osteoporosis can be prevented by:

Eating a calcium-rich diet

Adequate exposure to sunlight

Regular exercise such as jogging or stair-climbing

Stop smoking

Avoid heavy drinking