A mum from Melksham who has a son with life threatening allergies has set up a support group for others who are in the same situation.

Tiffany North’s son Alex, 17, was diagnosed with anaphylaxis when he was three and the condition means if he eats eggs, peanuts or sesame, or takes penicillin, he could have a severe allergic reaction which can cause swelling and serious breathing difficulties.

Mrs North, 46, of Severn Road said: “In the beginning, you worry that anything they eat could threaten their life.

“We have been living with it for such a long time it is just something he deals with, he doesn’t have a choice but it is something that dominates our life.”

Alex, who studies at Wiltshire College in Chippen-ham, is planning to head to university but moving away from home and the risk of something triggering his allergies is something Mrs North has found harder to deal with than when her daughter left.

The group she has set up now gives her and other parents the opportunity to talk about their experiences.

Being an allergy nurse and part of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, it was also something Mrs North had been thinking about doing for a while.

“It is a support group about what we have found works for our children. It’s a chance for people to exchange tips, share stories and support each other,” she said.

“Too often people believe everything they read on the internet but you need to be careful as it is not all fact.

“Helping others is, for me, a great way to regain some of the control you feel you’ve lost and provide some support to those who are finding it hard to cope.

“The group has really taken off; we have 12 members. Those with allergies range in age from two to 20 and I’m still getting more emails about people wanting to come along.”

The next meeting will take place at Church Hall, St Barnabas Church, Beanacre Road, Melksham from 7-9pm on November 29. To attend you can register for a free ticket on anaphylaxis.org.uk/ events?id=339