MORE than 130 people wanting to improve their health turned out to Blackburn's first health promotion seminar organised by a hospital, at Ewood Park.

The seminar, organised by the centre for health promoting hospitals and the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, had 22 exhibitions and opportunities to speak to local health staff.

Information on offer included advice on healthy eating, ways of preventing heart disease, knowing your blood pressure and information on the hospital's new Patient Advice and Liaison Service, PALS.

Dr Ahmed Shihadah, staff grade physician at Queen's Park Hospital, was the key speaker at the seminar, and talked about the dangers of heart disease, which he described as a "new plague".

Margaret Eastham, health promoting hospitals manager based at Queen's Park, who also spoke, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the turn out. It was wonderful to see so many people.

"A huge amount of time and effort had gone into the planning and delivering of the event, but until the people started to arrive we didn't know how it would be received.

"Dr Shihadah, staff grade physician and myself would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came and supported us.

"The information people gained on the evening, we hope will be shared with their family and friends, so that we can help even more people. We hope very much to be able to present another seminar later in the year and will keep you informed as to our progress."