SQUADS of health trainers will be testing hundreds of people during the mass launch of The BIG Bolton Health Check tomorrow.

Health chiefs hope at least 500 local people will have the simple 10 minute test, which could save their lives, during the event in Victoria Square.

A total of 30 health trainers - medical professionals employed to give advice on healthy living and lifestyle changes - have been drafted in to carry out the assessments and experts will be on hand to answer the public's concerns.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, a leading Bolton GP and chairman of Bolton Primary Care Trust's professional executive committee, said: "The message we want to get across is that this is not something to be afraid of, everyone can be helped.

"We want to dramatically cut heart disease and dispel all the myths about heart disease because there is something everyone can do to reduce their risk."

The day will start at 8.30am, when local community leaders, such as the Mayor of Bolton, faith leaders, councillors and MPs will have The BIG Bolton Health Check.

Members of the public, aged over 45, will then be invited to have their assessments between 11am and 6pm.

The BIG Bolton Health Check will include a finger prick blood test to measure cholesterol, a blood pressure check and a few simple lifestyle questions.

Health trainer Stephen Hunt is urging as many people as possible to come down to Victoria Square tomorrow and take part in the test - because it could save their life.

Mr Hunt, aged 51, who has worked as a health trainer at the Harwood Medical Centre for the last 18 months, said: "We hope to test as many people as possible tomorrow and this event will really raise the profile of The BIG Bolton Health Check."

Over the next 10 months, health bosses are aiming to test 46,000 people to determine whether they are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease - the number one cause of death in Bolton - in the next decade.

It is estimated as many as 10,000 people could be at an increased risk of developing the deadly condition.

As well as being carried out in GP surgeries and health centres, The BIG Bolton Health Check will also be available in supermarkets, DIY stores, bingo halls, betting shops, barbers, pubs and cafes.