RESIDENTS of Middlesbrough are being urged to undergo a free blood pressure check in a town where coronary heart disease is the second biggest killer.

The Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been sending teams of health professionals, including health visitors, school nurses and practice nurses, into the community to carry out the checks in support of National Blood Pressure Week.

They took the action because people suffering from high blood pressure are at increased risk from heart disease and strokes.

Wendy Francis, Nurse Consultant, Public Health, for Middlesbrough PCT, one of those taking part in the programme, said: "High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, which is why many people do not know they have it.

"The only way you will know if you have high blood pressure is to have it measured and now is an ideal opportunity.''

People have been offered the checks at a number of venues across the Middlesbrough and Eston areas every day this week.

One team carried out checks at Grove Hill in Middlesbrough on Monday and yesterday staff were working at Boots the Chemist in the Cleveland Centre in the town centre.

Berwick Hills Library will be today's venue, Thorntree Youth and Community Centre on Birkhall Road is tomorrow, and the Eston Sports Academy is on Friday.