MEN can soon have their pulses taken in the pub and their cholesterol checked in the club.

For health visitors are about to descend on guys' traditional haunts to carry out a series of spot checks on their bodies.

Pubs, clubs, bookies, DIY stores and sports venues are on the list for visits from the Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust (PCT) team in the new year.

The trust is focusing on men's health following the release of national statistics which show that men on average die five years younger than women, but are less likely than women to seek medical help.

Health visitor Elaine Cocks said: "We are hoping that by doing health checks in male dominated venues we will help to reduce health inequalities.

"There are a number of factors why men do not seek medical treatment as much as women. One is because women have regular screening programmes, such as cervical screening where their blood pressure is checked, whereas men do not have regular screening programmes.

"Another is the macho factor. Sometimes men do not like to seek help because they are worried about appearing weak."

Health visitors will carry out checks on body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and carbon monoxide checks for smokers, initially in pubs around the area.

They will also be on hand to dispense general advice on men's health issues.

The health checks will initially take place once a month in pubs and it is hoped will eventually roll out to a variety of other male dominated venues.

It is hoped the project will help identify health problems, such as heart disease and cancer that have become more prevalent in men, at an early stage and encourage men to take advantage of health services on offer.