YOUR correspondent Lynn Hird touched on the extreme isolation endured by many people with ME in her letter (July 12). Many are so badly affected by this debilitating illness that they cannot leave their homes.

Three national charities - Action for ME, Association of Young People with ME and The ME Association - have opened a jointly-run email message board called MEssage-UK to bring people with ME and their carers closer together through the Internet, so they can share experiences and discuss how to manage their illness better.

Any of your readers affected by ME are welcome to give the new board a go by sending an email to message-uk-subscribe@smartgroups.com

Tony Britton,

The ME Association,

Top Angel, Buckingham.

Updated: 10:36 Tuesday, July 30, 2002