ALMOST a quarter of a million people in the North-East are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes which can lead to blindness, amputations and a stroke, experts have warned.

The public has been urged to lose weight and be more active amid estimates that 245,000 people in the region aged over 16 have blood sugar levels that make them a high risk of suffering from the condition.

Public Health England (PHE), which published the report today (Wednesday, August 26), said type 2 diabetes resulted in 22,000 early deaths and costs the NHS £8.8bn nationally every year.

Across the region, the study revealed that more than ten per cent of the population were at risk of developing the condition, known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia.

The percentage was highest in Northumberland with 12.5 per cent at risk, followed by Redcar and Cleveland (12.2 per cent) and then County Durham and Darlington (11.7 per cent).

In North Yorkshire, more than 62,000 (12.4 per cent of the population) were estimated to be at a high risk of developing the condition.

The study was commissioned by the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP), which supports people to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by helping them lose weight, be more active and have a healthier diet.

Beverley Oliver, health and well-being programme lead for diabetes at PHE North East said: “We know that the best way for people who already have high blood sugar levels to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes is by losing weight and being more active.

"The data published today estimates that almost a quarter of a million people in the North-East are already at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"With help from the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, the number of people who go on to develop this serious condition can be reduced dramatically.”

Craig Melrose, medical director at the NHS England Cumbria and the North East, added: “There are too many people on the cusp of developing type 2 diabetes and we can change that.

"The growing body of evidence makes us confident that our NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme will reduce the numbers of those at risk going on to develop the debilitating disease.”