Since good communication is central to our work of providing information and support for people with ME, their families and carers, our charity ME Free For All.org is continually striving to improve our alert system for ME-related articles and letters, preferably on the same day of publication, so that those of us who are well enough can reply.

It would help us greatly if other ME organisations and individuals would share their best methods and work with us to evolve an optimum system that everyone can freely use on our website.

But no matter how sophisticated the technology gets, you can't beat good old fashioned word-of-mouth grapevine from locals on the ground. We are, therefore, seeking Newshounds" (people from this area who say they will tell us about any ME-related piece in the newspapers and magazines they read) and Press Pack (those who say they will try to respond to media coverage if they are up to it at the time).

We can't have too many Newshounds and Press Pack from the same area because some are not always well enough to react.

If you wish to be a Newshound or Press Pack or both, send an e-mail to our press editor, Ron Graves, at info@mefreeforall.org with Newshound in the subject line, saying which county you are from and which newspapers and magazines you regularly read.

DR JOHN GREENSMITH drjohngreensmith@mefreeforall.org ME Free For All.org Downend Bristol