A YORK man who has suffered epileptic seizures for 40 years has helped caring shop staff in the city scoop a national award.

Allen Harwood, 52, of Harrow Glade, Clifton, said staff at Marks & Spencer, Pavement, have helped him on many occasions when he has suffered seizures in the store.

He nominated the store for the prestigious Gold Award from Epilepsy Action, the working name for the British Epilepsy Association, and staff are now set to receive the award in recognition for their outstanding contribution to people with epilepsy.

Mr Harwood, a former British Rail clerk and hospital worker, who is otherwise fit and healthy, said he has frequently suffered discrimination and ridicule because of his condition, which can cause him to act in unusual ways or to pass out completely.

However he said the staff at Marks & Spencer have always treated him with respect, calling an ambulance when necessary or a taxi to take him home.

Mr Harwood said: "I've been accused of being drunk or of being on drugs by people who have seen me having a seizure. People just don't understand and they assume I am an addict.

"But I often don't know what's going on. One time I told a policeman that I had killed three people, another time I poured boiling water over myself.

"But the staff in Marks & Spencer have always looked after me if I've had a seizure in there.

"You can appear to be fully conscious, but you can do things that you wouldn't normally do."

At one time Mr Harwood suffered up to 120 seizures a year, but since undergoing an operation to implant a vagus nerve stimulator in his chest, altering the signals to the brain, that number has reduced.

Brian Littlejohn, Marks & Spencer store manager, said: "We are delighted to accept this award and obviously take pride in the first aid training of our staff."

Epilepsy Action runs a freephone helpline 0808 8005050 and website:

www.epilepsy.org.uk

Epilepsy - the facts:

ABOUT 440,000 people in the UK have epilepsy making it the second most common neurological condition after migraine.

Epilepsy can affect anybody, at any age. Boys and men tend to be slightly more prone than girls and women, though no one really knows why.

A seizure is caused by a temporary change in the way the brain cells work.

During a seizure the person may black out or experience a number of unusual sensations or movements. The whole thing usually only lasts a matter of seconds or minutes, after which the brain cells return to normal.

Advice for com0panions if someone suffers a seizure:

Do not try to restrain the person

Clear away sharp edged furniture etc

Cushion the person's head when they fall

When the person stops jerking put them in the recovery position

Do not call for medical assistance unless the seizure lasts more than five minutes or they are injured.

Updated: 08:36 Saturday, November 22, 2003