DETERMINED ME sufferer Kim Haste's bid to open Melksham's first youth caf this weekend is being hampered by the debilitating condition.

The mother-of-two is in line to officially open the youth caf in Market Place on Saturday, September 14, at 2.30pm but the crippling illness leaves her permanently tired and emotionally drained. If Mrs Haste attends the opening ceremony, it will be her first public appearance for more than a year.

Forty-year-old Mrs Haste, of Hazelwood Road made the heartbreaking decision to resign from her post as a Melksham town councillor in May.

During her time on the council she worked tirelessly to bring about the opening of a youth caf at the old fire station site in Melksham.

Forced to give up the campaign because of ill health, Mrs Haste said that not seeing the youth caf project through to completion was bitterly disappointing. Members of the Melksham Youth Committee, the driving force behind the caf, invited Mrs Haste to open it in recognition of her hard work. Speaking from her home she said the honour was extremely touching but her condition could prevent her from taking part.

"I am no better now than I was earlier this year. I know the young people would like me to open the caf but I will have to wait and see if I have the strength.

"The condition is very disheartening. I think people are getting fed up of hearing about it.

"I am so pleased the youth caf is opening. It is very heart-warming and it will be a valuable resource for Melksham."

Cllr Ian Cardy, who took over the project helm when Mrs Haste was unable to continue, will be at the opening ceremony along with Melksham Mayor Vic Oakman.

The caf, fitted-out with a pool table, kitchen and chill-out area, will be the first of its kind in Melksham.

Countless setbacks and delays have hampered the four-year project. In January it was earmarked for a spring opening but the 'project jinx' struck.