The Kidney Patient Guide gives information on key features of the condition, such as dialysis, and diagnosis.

It has been created using the experience of staff and patients in the renal nnit in Wrexham's Maelor Hospital.

Leading the project, Dr Peter Rutherford, a senior kidney specialist at the University of Wales College of Medicine, said: "Kidney failure can have a devastating impact on a person's life and the emotional and physical consequences are felt by both patients and their carers.

"The renal unit goes through this difficult time with the patients and our experience tells us that it helps if patients are fully informed of the condition and know what to expect - the unknown is always daunting."

The site includes animated features on how the kidneys work, and how fluid intake affects blood pressure.

Practical advice

It also includes practical advice on diet, treatment choices and the emotional pressures of kidney failure.

There is even a collection of quotes from patients so that visitors to the site can see how other people felt in the same situation.

The project was helped by �30,000 funding from the Wellcome Trust, and a spokesman said: "Access to information is going to be a key challenge - this goes a long way towards addressing the particularly special needs of patients suffering from kidney failure."