healthcare initiatives have been launched to tackle a rise in diabetes across the Teesside area.

Dr Richard Rigby, an expert on the disease, said: "People on Teesside die younger than elsewhere in the country, mainly through poor life-styles and high levels of deprivation. Both contribute to a high rate of diabetes in our area.

"One in ten people currently receiving NHS in-patient treatment have diabetes and the figures are increasing, particularly amongst our Asian and elderly communities, and more frighteningly, amongst young people.''

If detected early diabetes can be treated successfully. However, if it is not treated the disease can cause comas, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and blindness.

Dr Rigby, a GP from Loftus, and an executive committee member of Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust, is leading a number of initiatives in the treatment of the disease.

The initiatives include one-stop community clinics, which provide treatment and preventative work.

The clinics will also keep records, enabling the prevalence of the disease and the care that patients receive to be monitored.

A range of tests to detect the condition are also being offered and a specialist diabetes nurse has been appointed

A retinal screening service is to be launched in the next few months.

Dr Rigby said: "If diabetes is left untreated it can lead to blindness.

"By taking a digital photograph of the back of the eye, spots can be quickly identified. The spots are caused by arteries 'furring', rupturing and bleeding into the eye. Once the digital image has been taken, symptoms can be quickly treated by laser."

In addition, 24 doctors and nurses have been awarded certificates in primary diabetes care.