Heart patient Janet Fletcher was dismayed there was no support group in Devizes so she has set up one herself.

Janet Fletcher, 68, of Market Lavington, was diagnosed with angina at the end of 2006 and underwent a triple bypass at Southampton Hospital.

In May this year she had an operation at Bourne-mouth Hospital where two stents were put in to widen arteries in her heart.

Mrs Fletcher, a retired civil servant, said: “I just thought it would be nice to get other people together in the same situation for support, social friendship and to help each other.

“When my symptoms came back at the end of last year I rang the British Heart Foundation for help and was dismayed to learn that there is not a heart support group in Wiltshire.”

Mrs Fletcher’s surgery in Market Lavington helped her contact patients with heart disease and she held a meeting in June.

More than 25 people attended and the majority welcomed the setting up of a support group.

Mrs Fletcher has contacted the surgeries in West Lavington and Devizes inviting other heart patients to join the group.

The support group is affiliated to the British Heart Foundation and the second meeting was held last Thursday.

Mrs Fletcher has arranged for a representative from the Great Western Ambulance Service to speak at the next meeting of the group on September 3.

Other meetings this year are on October 1 when a quiz will be held; November 4 when Peter Vaughan, owner and chef at The Bistro in Devizes will give a talk and December 10 when a Christmas party will be held.

The meetings will be at the Market Lavington Comm-unity Hall from 3pm to 5pm.

Mrs Fletcher said the support group was for people who have had a heart attack, have angina or have suffered a mild stroke. It is also open to family members and carers of people with heart disease.

If you would to join the support group call Mrs Fletcher on (01380) 818817.