LEWIS Pharmacy in Exeter Road joined forces with the Exmouth Coeliac UK Support Group to promote awareness for sufferers.

LEWIS Pharmacy in Exeter Road joined forces with the Exmouth Coeliac UK Support Group to promote awareness for sufferers.

The disease, where the body's immune system reacts to gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley and rye - affects one in 100 and this year's awareness week was entitled "Free for Tea."

Members of Exmouth Coeliac UK Support Group enticed passers by to sample gluten free cakes and biscuits whilst sipping a freshly brewed cup of tea.

This gave the Group members an opportunity to discuss the symptoms and repercussions of suffering with this auto immune disease.

Recent figures from Coeliac UK show that half a million people in the UK have the disease, but do not know it.

A spokesman said: "Symptoms are wide ranging, but can include abdominal pain, fatigue, constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, weight loss and anaemia.

"There is no cure, and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. If people with coeliac disease keep eating gluten they may develop osteoporosis, bowel cancer or infertility problems.

"The Exmouth Coeliac UK Support Group would like to thank Lewis Pharmacy for their continued support, and also G Free for kindly donating cakes."

For more information visit www.coeliac.org.uk or contact the Exmouth Coeliac UK Support Group on; (01395) 225333.