OKEHAMPTON and District Lions Club conducted free diabetes awareness health checks at Okehampton Show last week, in conjunction with the staff from Okehampton Medical Centre.

Diabetes is a common life-long health condition. There are 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 850,000 people who have the condition but don't know it. There are two types of diabetes – type one and type two.

Type one diabetes accounts for between five and 15 per cent of all people with diabetes and is treated by daily insulin injections, a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

Type two diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40 and accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with diabetes and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In addition, medication and/or insulin is often required.  More information on diabetes can be obtained from your local medical centre or at http://www.diabetes.org.uk">www.diabetes.org.uk

There were 160 people screened on the day with 36 being referred to their doctor for further checks.

The Lions would like to thank the ladies and Dr Tim Watson for the sterling job they did throughout the day.