Relatives were today (Friday) laying to rest the tenth member of their family to have died from the same incurable disease.

Single mum Teresa Spencer, aged 35, of Rickstones Road, Witham, died of the muscle- wasting illness Motor Neurone Disease just two months after she was diagnosed.

Teresa was born and raised in Kelvedon. She was a pupil at Kelvedon primary school and then Honywood School in Coggeshall.

Teresa's three-year-old daughter Beth is now being cared for by Teresa's youngest sister Mandy, aged 34.

Her other sister Debbie Hancock spoke yesterday about the devastating effect Motor Neurone Disease has had on her family.

She said: "In the last generation ten people, including my older brother, Ricky, have died from the disease.

"Despite this Teresa refused to believe she had it right up until her death."

Mrs Hancock said it was quite rare for the disease to run in families, with about five per cent of cases being passed on through relations.

Motor Neurone Disease destroys nerve cells that control muscles, leading them to waste away. No one knows the cause of the disease and there is no known cure for it.

About 5,000 people suffer from the disease at any one time in the UK and the life expectancy after diagnosis is on average 14 months.

Teresa spent most of her working life at Sovereign Foods in Witham. Her funeral today took place at Chelmsford Crematorium.

Her supervisor Brian Leigh said: "She worked here for many years. She was very well-liked and respected by everybody here."

Mrs Hancock added: "She had a lot to contend with, not just to do with her illness, but throughout it all she has maintained a smile."

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