MORE than 160 people turned up at the United Reformed Church Hall in Dunmow to have their blood pressure taken as part of Stroke Awareness Day. Saturday s event, organised jointly by Dunmow Rotary Club and the Stroke Association, was hailed as a great suc

MORE than 160 people turned up at the United Reformed Church Hall in Dunmow to have their blood pressure taken as part of Stroke Awareness Day.

Saturday's event, organised jointly by Dunmow Rotary Club and the Stroke Association, was hailed as a great success.

Organiser Philip Milne said: "We had 163 people attend the clinic, which is 30 people up on last year.

"There is little doubt that the good weather helped, but it also showed that we managed to get the message out there with the help of papers like the Dunmow Broadcast."

Out of those who had their blood pressure taken by three voluntary nurses, 20 were advised to see a doctor and another two were deemed to be at high risk of having a stroke.

"It is important that people are aware of the effects that diet and not getting enough exercise has on their bodies and the risks they could be putting themselves in of having a stoke," said Mr Milne.

Mr Milne added that he wanted to say a big thank you to the three nurses for their work on the day.

In conjunction with the offer of free blood tests, a coffee morning was held at the hall, which raised a total of £277.

All the proceeds of which will be donated to the restoration fund of the United Reformed Church.