A BOLTON group fighting brittle bone disease is hoping to increase awareness of the condition in young people.

The Bolton branch of the National Osteoporosis Society wants young people to know that brittle bones do not just occur in the elderly.

Leaflets and information booklets written for young people have been sent to secondary school libraries and health education teachers in Bolton.

The leaflets have been funded by the Health for Bolton 2003 campaign and the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester.

Edna Liptrot, secretary of the group, said: "There are many young people with the condition who do not realise it until they break a bone. People also think that men do not get the condition but they do.

"Making sure calcium is part of the everyday diet is important throughout life, not just in childhood. Bones use up calcium from the food we eat every seven to ten years so it is important to keep the habit up.

"We hope the leaflets will inform young people of the condition so they do not suffer later in life."

The group meets on the first Wednesday of most months, though the next meeting is in September in Jubilee House, near Moor Lane bus station, at 2pm, in the first floor lounge.