HUNDREDS of hepatitis C sufferers in Blackburn and Darwen will benefit from the launch of an innovative information scheme.

The new eLearning' resource, pioneered by the borough's primary care trust, is the only one of its kind in the North West.

And it is thought to be the only such project in the UK which offers assistance to those who struggle with written English.

The initiative is part of ongoing hepatitis C education and awareness raising by health professionals and substance misuse workers at Blackburn's Jarman Centre.

Hepatitis C is a disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) which can cause chronic liver problems. There is a national infection rate of between 0.5 per cent and one per cent, equating to between 800 and 1,600 people in Blackburn with Darwen.

People usually catch hepatitis C through infected blood, such as through transfusions, or via contaminated needles - but the cause of up to a third of cases remains unknown.

Under the scheme, patients can use a DVD to gain access to a website containing the latest information on the condition. It will be available via health workers or from the Jarman Centre in Blackburn town centre.

Rebecca Demaine, the PCT's sexual health services strategic manager, said: "The launch of this unique eLearning resource is an important step in extending the opportunities for getting key messages across about hepatitis C to all sections of our community.

"It will benefit professionals in occupational and patient education, advising on hepatitis C prevention, management and treatment. We will be making the resource widely available to organisations working with people affected in the Blackburn with Darwen area."

It is hoped that the education programme will particularly prove useful for high-risk groups, including haemophiliacs and drug users. Other benefits include an audio link, translating advice into spoken English for those whose reading skills are poor. Support is also available in Urdu and Gujerati.

Both features of the course were made possible by input from the media studies department at Accrington and Rossendale College. The college provided volunteer speakers and translators, under the production of young graphic designer John Stanyon, who runs his own enterprise, Studio Function.

Funding to develop the resource was provided by Blackburn with Darwen Drug and Alcohol Action Team.