A York grandmother told today how 60 years of health misery ended in four days -after she changed her diet.

Liz Edge, 63, who is a City of York Councillor, said she had suffered stomach problems from the age of three, when she was admitted to hospital with colitis. The illnesses culminated with emergency testing at York District Hospital last February for suspected bowel cancer.

She had also suffered from osteo-arthritis since she was 11, which led to swelling of her feet and hands and necessitated the removal of her left foot's big toe joint, as well as regular painkillers and other medication.

"Following the tests, which showed nothing malignant, I was resigned to the fact that these were problems I could do nothing about," she said.

But last September, after reading an article about food intolerance and the medical problems it could cause, she decided to get her blood tested. The results showed she was reacting severely to yeast and gluten. But she also had a lesser intolerance of other foods.

She radically altered her diet to remove all the offending items.

"Since then, I have never looked back," said Mrs Edge, of Parkside Close, Holgate.

She said that should any reader want further information, she was happy for people to call her on 01904 790732.

Mrs Edge contacted the Press after reading in Monday's paper how 21-month-old Cameron Burdass's health had improved greatly since undergoing food intolerance testing.

Updated: 11:18 Thursday, January 25, 2001