WIDOWER Stan Pilling was devastated when Brenda, his wife of more than 30 years, became seriously ill.

Despite having his own painful digestive condition, coeliac disease, the engineer cared and cooked for her until she died of a brain haemorrhage in 2000.

So when he retired in 2002, Mr Pilling decided to join a cookery course at Bolton Community College - and now he is using his new skills to help other people suffering from the digestive disorder.

Mr Pilling, aged 66, was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 1997. It is caused by an intolerance to gluten and brings him out in blisters, and he had to drastically alter his diet.

He cannot eat anything containing gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

Mr Pilling was used to cooking for himself and his wife and avoided foods such as bread and pasta.

But when he retired, he decided to return to college to learn to become a chef and now attends the masterclass cookery course at the college.

Mr Pilling said: "I knew my way around a kitchen, but I admit I wasn't very good. My diet can be very restrictive and I have to buy things like special flour from the chemist.

"But I decided I just wanted to be a better cook. I'm certainly not the best in the class, but I think I'm quite good and I really enjoy it, especially because it makes my diet so much more varied."

Mr Pilling, of Tenby Avenue, Heaton, has now organised a special gluten-free meal to coincide with National Coeliac Awareness Day.

Held at the Grosevenor Restaurant at the Manchester Road Campus of Bolton Community College on May 15, the meal is open to anyone who suffers from the condition.

Mr Pilling said: "I want to raise as much awareness as possible. There could be many people out there who have a gluten intolerance, but are just putting up with the pain rather than visiting their GP.

"The more people who are aware of the condition, the easier it is for people like me, especially when we're eating out, as increased understanding will mean we're catered for."

  • For more information and to book a place at the meal, call 01204 907 000.