MOTHER-OF-TWO Kim Haste has given up her Melksham council seat as she continues her brave battle against the debilitating illness ME.

Mrs Haste, 40, of Hazelwood Road, was, until 12 months ago, an active and determined member of Melksham town council.

But she was cruelly struck down by the crippling illness leaving her permanently tired and drained.

Barely able to leave her house for simple shopping trips, the heartbroken councillor said she was giving up her cherished position because she could no longer serve the people of Melksham.

The announcement means two by-elections will need to be held in Melksham as Roundpond ward councillor Brian Francis alsoconfirmed his resignation this week.

The 67-year-old has been suffering from cancer of the bones for seven years.

Speaking of how the "lonely and isolating illness" had taken over her life, Mrs Haste said the decision to leave the council was one of the hardest she had ever had to make.

She has not attended a meeting since April 2001.

She said: "It is with a huge amount of sadness that I am having to stand down as a member of the council but it is a decision I have had to face up to.

"I have been unable to represent the electorate and I believe the council need an active member.

"The illness slyly steals your energy and vigour over months and sometimes years.

"I don't feel I have been making any improvement. I have tried to get out and about but I think I may have to get a wheelchair.

"Sometimes I think I am going to go mad and giving up the council seat is admitting I am ill.

"I want to stand for re-election when this horrible illness has left my body."

Cllr Sarah Cardy said: "It is a sad loss for us as Kim did so much work for young people in Melksham. She really listened to people and worked as hard as anyone I know.

"I am sure it was a heartbreaking decision."

Dubbed as Yuppie Flu, ME mainly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40. It is often mistaken for depression.

National ME Awareness Week begins on Monday.

Mr Francis, who has been a town councillor for four years, said he too was heartbroken at having to resign from his seat on health grounds.

He said: "I have written a letter of resignation as I am not coming back.

"It is because of my health, there is no point doing something the doctors tell me not to do.

"I will miss helping the young people but I won't miss the strain."