A PAIR of specialist nurses from Airedale Hospital are supporting a worldwide campaign to help millions of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Colette Scully and Sophie Carrow have set up a new respiratory service after it was revealed that Airedale and Bradford area had more people with the disease than the national average.

World COPD Day was celebrated yesterday to raise awareness of the disease. Support and advice for people with the condition is available on the British Lung Foundation’s website.

The respiratory physiotherapists from Airedale are running eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation classes at Castleberg Hospital in Settle and at the St John Ambulance Centre, in Skipton.

The sessions include exercise and discussions about medication, how the lungs work, psychological and physical effects of the disease, and diet.

An Airedale Hospital spokesman said: "The aim is to support patients to stay well at home and avoid both unnecessary hospital admissions and attendances at the Emergency Department.

"The nurses also provide educational sessions for health workers, and are setting up a local network to provide professionals with easy access to information, advice and best practice in respiratory care."

COPD includes a number of conditions affecting the lungs including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients can find it difficult to breathe and often struggle with everyday tasks.