A LEADING charity has thanked Inverclyde Council for spreading awareness about myalgic encephalomyelitis by lighting up local landmarks.

The local authority lit The Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow statue and the Lyle Fountain in Greenock town centre blue to mark International ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) Awareness Day.

ME Research UK, a charity which funds research into the causes of ME, praised the local authority for taking time to participate in the annual awareness event.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms.

The most common symptom is extreme tiredness.