POSTAL workers were given a health MOT as part of the BIG Bolton Health Check.

Staff from Bolton PCT visited the Stonehill Road Mail Centre to offer free blood pressure, cholesterol and cardio-vascular checks to anyone aged 45 or over.

Mary Wilson of the Royal Mail said: “All the staff at the Bolton Mail Centre work really hard to raise money for our local charities. In the past two years they have raised £25,000, but I thought this would be a chance for them to focus on their own health and wellbeing.”

The BIG Bolton Health Check campaign aims to reduce heart attacks and disease in Bolton by giving basic health checks to people over 45 who would not normally visit a doctor.

The test, which takes about 10 minutes, involves a finger prick sugar and cholesterol check, a blood pressure reading and a few simple lifestyle questions.

Director of Public Health, Jan Hutchinson, said: “We are working very hard to tackle diseases such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

“Anyone who is identified as being high risk will then be able to discuss appropriate treatment with their GP.”

The BIG Bolton Health Check has chosen a number of community locations to enable as many people as possible to have the check.

These have included supermarkets, barbers, pubs, betting shops, sports centres, mosques, churches and cafes.