A seriously ill Fife woman is making arrangements for her own death.

Sandra Ewing, who has lost both her legs and battled MRSA, has ordered doctors to stop her life-saving kidney dialysis treatment.

The mother of two from Glenrothes lost her legs two years ago after developing septicaemia. She later contracted MRSA while undergoing treatment and her kidneys also failed.

Ms Ewing has to undergo dialysis three times a week, but at the end of the month she will stop having the life-saving treatment.

She is planning a farewell party with family and friends before allowing herself to die.

She told STV news: "It's been explained that I'll probably slip into a massive coma, I'll be given pain relief during this and then it'll come to the stage where I won't know anything and then my life will just slip away."

The 48-year-old said her life is simply no longer worth living.

"People look at me, and some people think I'm in a wheelchair but they don't see what's going on inside, how it's affecting me mentally as well.

"I've suffered quite bad depression. I've thought about it over the months, about seven months now. I've seen psychiatrists, I've spoken to nurse friends, I took everything into consideration and that is my final decision.

"There is no going back no matter what."

She said she plans to see her grandchildren for the final time next week, followed in a few days by a farewell party with friends.

"I know I'm leaving a son and a daughter, but…"

She starts to cry.

Ms Ewing says she's considered suicide in the past and thinks people should be given the option of taking their own lives.

Campaigners believe her plight gives weight to the case in support of assisted suicide.

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald is a proponent of assisted suicide in certain cases. She introduced legislation in Holyrood to give people the right to take their own life under the guidance of a GP.

Ms MacDonald said of Ms Ewing's case: "She is legally able to instruct that there should be no more treatment given to her and I find that very much the same as morally as anyone in the same position as she might be in who approaches their doctor and asks some help to bring their life to an end."

For Ms Ewing, though, it's simply a case of ending her life in the way she sees fit.

"I just want to die with dignity," she said.