Awareness of a painful, debilitating condition that affects ten per cent of women, has been highlighted by some striking pictures of Isle of Wight sufferers.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

March is an awareness month for the condition and Isle of Wight woman Georgia Day, who was diagnosed with it herself in 2019, has organised a Prohibition Party at Bar 74 in Union Street, Ryde, on March 21, to raise money to fight the disease.

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prohibition-party-tickets-95024758611

A photoshoot to raise awareness was done for free by Megan and Grace at Isle Click Photography and features women with endometriosis from the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

The women featured are: Beth Prescott, Hayley Marsh, Jodie Hughes and Steff Moore (all Portsmouth), plus Shannon Rose, Lou Alabaster, Rosie Pearson, Erica Norman, Bella Battista, Lorna Thompson, Annetta Passat and Georgia herself.

Georgia told the County Press, "Unfortunately I failed to get support and a diagnosis at St Mary's so had to pay privately on the mainland after suffering for 2 years with symptoms."

She said more than 6,000 women on the Isle of Wight were thought to suffer with endometriosis, with 176 million sufferers worldwide.

It causes major infertility issues, along with women having to have hysterectomy at young ages.

Georgia said Parliament had been discussing better education and better support for women with the condition.

"Just before my diagnosis I created a Facebook support group for people on the Isle of Wight who suffer with this condition.

"I didn't want women to feel alone anymore and felt the Isle of Wight needed to be more 'endo' friendly and more aware and educated.

"Since I started this group and created and endometriosis Instagram (Endogirl89), i've been overwhelmed by women coming forward who have it or think they do or are currently under investigation. "

The Facebook support group is called Endometriosis Support IOW.

There is also a Endometriosis South Coast Charity.