ONE in five Blackburn residents who had blood pressure checks as part of a free health clinic were advised to seek further medical attention.

The drop-in was hosted in the town's Mall as part of an initiative between Vision Express and the Stroke Association to highlight high blood pressure as a contributing factor in around half of all strokes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It educated people on the risks and signs of stroke and saw two individuals advised to seek urgent GP attention within a week due to elevated readings.

National statistics show that 2,946 people are stroke survivors in Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), some 1.7 per cent of the population.

Connie Pattinson, Vision Express Blackburn store manager said: “We’re so pleased our customers and local residents were given the opportunity to have their reading taken at the store and we hope it has encouraged them to consider the importance of regular health checks.”