A MUCH-LOVED Greenock author is seriously after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Cathy MacPhail, 72, took ill in February and was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a rare type of stroke which is caused by bleeding on the brain.

Cathy, who lives near the Esplanade, was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle where she underwent specialist brain surgery, reports the Greenock Telegraph.

Her son David, who is also an author, said: "She is lucky to be alive at all.

"She is very poorly, it is a very serious condition.

"Twenty per cent of people don't even make it to the hospital.

"Forty per cent of people die in the first week."

The award-winning author took ill during a visit to a high school.

David said: "That morning she took a double session and said it was fantastic."

But shortly afterwards Cathy became unwell, describing her symptoms as a 'thunderclap headache'.

She has been treated in several hospitals including the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and is now in Inverclyde Royal.

David, 45, and his sisters Sarah and Katie and wider family and friends have been rallying around.

He said: "She has shown remarkable fortitude but it can really take a long time to recover, possibly up to 18 months.

"It is such a serious condition and there are so many different complications.

"It has devastated her."

Cathy who is a doting grandmother to her six grandchildren, also works closely with local schools and those further afield.

And she is still winning awards from her hospital bed.

David said: "She won the Grampian Children's Book Award and Portsmouth Book Award for Between the Lies."

Cathie and David collaborated on a book called White Feather to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War.

David said: "We have been commissioned to do another book together.

"It's a shame because we were hoping to do a lot more books together."

But David says that his mum is a remarkable woman and is determined to get better.

He told the Tele: "She's a strong lady and she's had to be to come through everything.

"She has loads to look forward to."

David wants to thank all family and friends for their hospital and get well messages.

He said: "Mum's had so many good wishes from friends and family and the book world, the Scottish Book Trust and fellow authors. Everyone has been rallying around."