MEN in Darlington over the age of 50 are being urged to pay greater attention to a health issue.

One in three men over the age of 50 can expect to have problems with their prostate gland, but health chiefs have told men help is at hand.

Darlington Primary Care Trust has launched an awareness campaign to coincide with a national Prostate Awareness Week.

Senior continence advisor, Joan Roberts, said: "Men try to ignore the symptoms because they are too embarrassed to discuss them and always thought the worst.

"But there are lots of different treatments and products available to help them.

"It is not just an old man's complaint and we are here to offer help and advice to men of all ages.

"About a fifth of all men suffer in silence before they are forced to seek attention when we could be helping them now."

Men can telephone the advice service for an appointment on (01325) 746211.