Nose-bleed mystery sweeps Mossley

ACTION group member... Hollyoaks actress Nicole Barber-Lane

Baffled residents demand answers
WORRIED residents have pleaded for answers after mysterious nose bleeds and migraines swept Mossley, making locals’ lives a misery.

More than 60 baffled householders demanded an ivestigation when they turned up en-masse at Mossley District Assembly.

Other symptoms are said to include erosion of the nasal septum — the part of the nose which divides the nostrils.

The news comes after Mossley Environmental Action Group performed a door-to-door poll which revealed 16 residents — all living in close proximity to each other — were suffering from nose bleeds. Group member Donna Liley said the cause of the problem was unknown.

She added: “We just don’t know what is causing this, if anything, but we need to be taken seriously, as many residents, including myself, are concerned with what is going on.

“We need an investigation into this.”

The group has even called upon the help of American environmental activist Erin Brockovich after Hollyoaks actress Nicole Barber-Lane — a Mossley resident and action group member — received advice from the campaigner made famous by the Julia Roberts film.

Erin advised the group to look up airborne toxins which may be linked to the symptoms.

The group’s Carl Dolan said: “My wife has a hole through the septum and three of my four children suffer from bleeding or runny noses.

“My dog died of lung cancer last year and I’m beginning to think this could be connected.”

During the district assembly, the group was told it needed to contact Greater Manchester’s Medical Officer for Health, Dr Lorraine Lighton, with any concerns.

Tameside Council confirmed it was taking the matter seriously.

Councillor Catherine Piddington, executive member for environmental services, said: “We haven’t seen the results of the health survey yet, but we would advise residents with any health concerns to see their GP.

“In the meantime, we can raise the issue separately with the relevant health authorities and ask them to monitor the situation.”