CLAIRE Morgan last year suffered a stroke at the age of 22. A blood clot in her leg travelled up her body, through a hole in her heart and into her brain. She was unable to see or move her right side.

She went on to make a full recovery after doctors at Southend Hospital treated her with special clotbusting drugs which minimised the damage.

Claire’s experience is proof a stroke can happen to anyone, at any age. She is now backing a new £12 million Government drive to raise awareness of the telltale signs of a stroke.

Claire, from Thundersley, said: “It happened on a Friday and I was better by the Monday. Because I had the treatment so quickly, I haven’t suffered any lasting effects.

“I was at work at the time and people thought I was having a panic attack and an ambulance was called. When I was in the ambulance my face dropped and my arms went limp.

“The more people are made aware of the symptoms, the better it will be for everyone. The doctors are still investigating why it happened as I am fit and don’t smoke.”

Her mother, Ruth Morgan added: “Fast treatment can be the difference between life and death. It is difficult to recognise in a young person because you are not suspecting a stroke.

“You go through a process of elimination trying to rule things out.”

The latest figures from the Eastern Region Health Observatory predict a significant rise in the number of people suffering strokes in the next 11 years.

Health bosses are now urging people to learn how to recognise the symptoms of stroke with a simple test called “Fast”.

The test points out the three tell-tale signs of a stroke – facial and arm weakness and speech problems.

Doctors say prompt emergency treatment can dramatically increase the chances of survival and cut the risk of disability for someone who has had a stroke.

Dr Paul Guyler, consultant stroke physician at Southend Hospital, said: “It is essential patients check the Fast test and dial 999 immediately if they are having a stroke. For every minute a stroke goes untreated, 1.9 million brain cells and 7.5 miles of nerve fibres are destroyed.

“For every hour treatment is delayed, the brain ages 3.6 years.

“Southend Hospital has given clot-busting drugs to more than 100 patients with a stroke who were brought in immediately and many of those patients, who have made a full recovery, would otherwise have died or been disabled.”

Natalie Ellis, 41, from Leigh knows exactly what it is like to suffer a stroke.

She was at work when she suddenly felt her hands and toes go numb and her vision became blurred.

Natalie said: “My heart was pulsating and I was sweaty and clammy. I felt heavy and my fingers and toes on the right side of my body seemed to go numb.

“I was desperate to get outside, to gulp down fresh air, but I couldn’t move. I knew, even if I managed to stand up, I wouldn’t make it to the door.”

Luckily for Natalie, a colleague recognised the signs of stroke and got her to hospital within 30 minutes, where she was treated quickly and made a full recovery.

She added: ‘‘I still get forgetful sometimes but I’m one of the lucky ones. I was treated quickly.

“If more people recognised the signs of stroke, then more stroke survivors would be as lucky as I am.”