BARNARD Castle Rotary Club is offering residents the chance to have a free blood pressure test this weekend.

The charity is teaming up with the Stroke Association to offer the free test to mark Make May Purple, its annual stroke awareness month.

High blood pressure remains the single biggest risk factor for stroke, contributing to more than half of strokes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Donna Stott, Community Development and Partnerships Manager at the Stroke Association, said: “High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because it doesn’t have any symptoms and many people have no idea their health may be at risk.

“Over nine million people in the UK currently have high blood pressure but estimates suggest there could be up to almost seven million people who are undiagnosed and at risk.

“Getting your blood pressure checked is easy and quick. We hope to see many people from Durham at our event; it’s a simple way to reducing your risk of having a stroke.”

Residents can take the test at the Boots Chemist, in Barnard Castle, on Saturday, May 7, between 10am and 3pm.

For more information visit stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple