MEMBERS of the Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield kept up the pressure to deliver free health checks to local residents.

As part of Stroke Awareness Day on Saturday (April 3), the organisation set up blood pressure checks by qualified nurses at Tesco in Prestwich.

In total, 95 members of the public benefited from a blood pressure check and several people were advised to see their GP for further checks.

Chairman of community services for Rotary, Julian Roscoe, said: "The thing with blood pressure is that it can vary from hour to hour. The people who showed a high blood pressure reading were referred to their doctor but told not to worry as it could change.

"Every year 150,000 people suffer a stroke and 15,000 of them are under the age of 30. Early detection of high blood pressure can help prevent a stroke."

The Rotary Club gazebo was set up just outside the foyer of Tesco but strong winds forced them to pack up in the afternoon.

Mr Roscoe thanked Tesco management for allowing them to stage the event and also the nurses who gave their time voluntarily.