TWO women are on a mission to promote 'safe eating out' for people with chronic digestive conditions throughout Inverclyde.

Stephanie Armour, who suffers from coeliac disease, and Suzanne McCall, who has a gluten intolerance, have helped to set up 'Gluten Free Greenock' - an online support group to encourage more eateries to provide gluten free options on their menus.

They say the community page also acts as a support network for people who suffer from the conditions, as well as providing vital support.

Stephanie, 26, from Greenock's Murdieston Street, was diagnosed with coeliac disease two years ago - a digestive condition where the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients, causing a range of symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.

As a result of her condition she follows a strict gluten free diet to avoid long term complications, which include osteoporosis, iron deficiency and anaemia.

She said: "Gluten Free Greenock is a community of people who, before the page, wouldn’t have known where to go or feel safe eating outside their own home.

"It’s evident the page is bringing to attention the need for more people to understand gluten free/coeliac disease.

"It allows people to share recipes too."

Stephanie says that she has to be very careful about what she eats as just one slice of bread can bring on symptoms which keep her awake all night.

She said it was her difficulty in finding a a chip shop with gluten free options which was the catalyst for setting up the page.

Stephanie said: "This all came about as I was looking for a chippy which had gluten free options.

"I posted an appeal online and the response was amazing.

"So many people commented on the post which places to try.

"Through it I got chatting to Suzanne and said that we should set up a wee community group to share our experiences."

Suzanne McCall, an early years education and childcare officer from Greenock, suffers from a gluten intolerance.

The 29-year-old says she was keen to support Stephanie's idea for an online support hub and has become a moderator for the page.

She added: "Trying to eat outside your home is a nightmare.

"This group has built my confidence and shown me that I'm not the only person that has a gluten intolerance."

Within a few hours of setting up the page, 80 people had joined, with numbers steadily growing,

Stephanie added: "The long term goal is that gluten free is more popular in Inverclyde and that all of our fast food places and restaurants have an alternative."