A woman diagnosed with epilepsy is set to give something back to help others with the condition by hosting a "Purple Ball" next month.

The ball is being organised by Kerry Smith, from Lowestoft, to raise funds for Epilepsy Action.

With the global awareness day for epilepsy, Purple Day, taking place on March 26 each year, Ms Smith is hoping to raise more than £3,000 as the Purple Ball is held at the Wherry Hotel in Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, on Saturday, March 30.

The event includes a live band, raffle, auction and buffet, with guests expected to include mayor of Lowestoft, Sonia Barker, and Waveney’s Conservative MP, Peter Aldous.

Having lived with epilepsy since she was diagnosed at 28, Ms Smith said: "It was very difficult to adjust to living with epilepsy.

"Life can change in a split second, and you have to take things day by day as you don't know when a seizure is going to hit."

The 42-year-old added: "Since lockdown, the seizures have become scary.

"I can now stop breathing when I have seizures, and this is the scariest it’s been since being diagnosed 14 years ago."

After retiring from her job, she found the Epilepsy Action Talk and Support group in Norwich - and a year later she set up her own group in Lowestoft.

"I love being able to give something back to the epilepsy community, by supporting people and their families," she said.

With the money raised from her Purple Ball going to help others seeking support, Ms Smith said: "If there’s anything I can do to give back to Epilepsy Action, I will as they have supported me and being able to support the charity means everything.

"The Purple Ball in Lowestoft came about from the Talk and Support group, as we thought it would be a good way to raise awareness about epilepsy and the support that is out there."

To purchase tickets for the event, visit its website.