A TOWN centre church will turn green every evening for one week to raise awareness of a rare incurable disease.

From September 14-21, Bury Parish Church will join other monuments across the world in shining green as part of Global Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.

The week aims to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease, which affects about 200,000 people across Europe.

Symptoms of the condition vary, but it can lead to muscle weakness, blindness, deafness, strokes and seizures, and even death.

So far, 101 monuments in the UK and across the world are planning to get involved with the 'Light Up For Mito' campaign, including Niagra Falls, Blackpool Tower.

Bury Parish Church will light up from 8pm to midnight each day after being approached by Manchester Road resident Penny Garvey, who suffers from a mitochondrial disease called Kearns Sayre syndrome.

She said: "The parish church is such a lovely building, so I approached them and they were very happy to oblige.

"Little is known about the disease. I look all right but when I say I cannot do stuff, people think I am lazy.

"If the word gets out then maybe my life will be a little easier and it will help others with invisible illnesses."

The 52-year-old has become an advocate for the disorder in a bid to improve understanding with the public and healthcare communities.

She has since joined a range of groups, including The Lily Foundation, which is the UK's leading charity dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease.

To find out more about mitochondria and how it affects people, visit http://gmdaw.org.