DOZENS of supermarket staff and customers have had the BIG Bolton Health Check.

Bosses at the Asda store in Burnden Park have signed up to be one of the venues where the life-saving checks take place.

Employees and members of the public are invited to have their health check, which takes just 10 minutes, every Wednesday until the end of July.

Health trainers will be in the store between 9am and 5pm.

Events co-ordinator at the store, David Barnes, said: "Healthy customers and staff is something we're very conscious about and we want to do everything we can to help keep them that way. It's really important to us and we were really keen to sign up and be part of the scheme."

Mr Barnes, aged 61, was one of the first to have the BIG Bolton Health Check - and was told he had a high risk of developing heart disease.

His results have now been sent to his GP, who will advise him on what can be done to reduce his risk.

He said: "While it wasn't good news I'm really pleased that I know because now I can concentrate on doing something about it before it becomes even more serious."

Health bosses behind The BIG Bolton Health Check aim to test 46,000 people, over the age of 45, between now and the end of March next year to find out if they are at risk of developing heart disease in the next 10 years.

It is estimated that the simple assessment, which involves a finger-prick cholesterol test, a blood pressure test and a few simple lifestyle questions, could save as many as 10,000 lives.

Cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks, strokes and heart disease, is the number one killer in Bolton.

As well as GP's surgeries, The BIG Bolton Health Check will be available in betting shops, barbers, bingo halls, supermarkets and pubs.