FREE NHS health checks are being offered to people in East Lancashire after public health bosses at Lancashire County Council urged people to live longer by getting themselves checked out by their GP.

The checks are available to anyone aged between 40 and 75, who has not been diagnosed with an existing vascular disease and is not being treated for certain risk factors.

The checks programme is aiming to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

Around 352,000 people in Lancashire are eligible for a health check every five years as part of the public health role of local authorities.

County Councillor Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Behind the statistics about health problems in Lancashire lies the heartbreaking human story of real people dying earlier than they should.”

“By encouraging people to go for a health check with their GP we will ensure that life-shortening conditions are picked up earlier, which will mean people in Lancashire have more years of quality life to spend with their families.

“Not all GPs are currently offering these checks but we are working hard to ensure that they will be available to everyone who is eligible across the county.”