SUFFERS of chronic fatigue syndrome stepped out at the weekend to raise awareness of the condition.

About 65 people took part in a two-and-a-half-mile sponsored walk along the Riverside at Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

It was organised by ME North-East, a charity based in the town, and a craft session was held at County Durham Cricket Club for sufferers too unwell to cover the route.

The charity's chief executive, Jennifer Elliott, said: "It was lovely. There were family and friends and there was a nice sense of everyone being together.

"The young people who are affected don't often have the chance to get together. It is such an isolating illness. The idea wasn't to raise lots of money. It was to raise awareness and bring people together.

"One of the symptoms is post-exercise malaise so it may take some of them a few days to recover from the walk.''

The charity has 1,200 members and provides them with information, support and runs social events. For details, call 0191-389 2222.