FREE blood pressure checks are on offer in Berkeley and Dursley as part of a national awareness week.

Know Your Numbers Week runs from Monday, September 16 to Friday, September 20 and encourages people to be more aware of their blood pressure and its effect on their health.

High blood pressure is the biggest cause of premature death in the UK but it can be easily detected with simple tests.

The silent killer can lead to strokes, heart attacks and heart disease and is also a risk factor for kidney disease and dementia.

According to Blood Pressure UK, a third of the estimated 16 million UK adults affected do not know they have high blood pressure, which may not have any symptoms.

Berkeley Pharmacy is one of more than 1,500 Pressure Stations around the country offering free checks this week.

Pharmacist Rohina Sadiq said not enough people were aware of what their blood pressure should be.

"Ask people what the tyre pressures for their cars should be and they may tell you straight away," she said. "But ask them the figures for their blood pressure and most won’t have a clue.

"That is unfortunate because blood pressure is a very accurate pointer to possibly dangerous health problems and regular checks are essential to spot changes."

The ideal healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or less.

The first number in the blood pressure reading, the systolic pressure, is when the heart beats to pump blood around the body.

The second is a lower number, diastolic pressure, when the heart relaxes between beats.

You can pop into Berkeley Pharmacy in the Former George Inn or the Co-operative Pharmacy on Parsonage Street in Dursley to have your reading taken and receive advice within minutes anytime this week.