NEW figures say that 22,800 in Warrington are fighting cardiovascular disease, which claims nearly 500 lives in the town every year.

Cardiovascular disease encompasses conditions like heart attacks and strokes, and the British Heart Foundation has released the figures which also state that 144 of 498 the deaths from cardiovascular disease were premature – before the age of 75.

They are calling on residents to join the fight by wearing red as part of their Wear It, Beat It campaign.

The British Heart Foundation funds around £100m of research every year which is central to discovering new treatments for people living with heart conditions, and their campaign will see residents clad in red on Friday February 5 to aid more research.

Tristam Jones, head of mass participation at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are calling on the people of Warrington to get ahead of the game and start planning their Wear It, Beat It event for February.

“Our lifesaving research is powered by your support and every pound raised will help us change the lives of millions living with heart and circulatory conditions.”

To find out more about the campaign go to bhf.org.uk/red or call 0300 3300645 to get a free fundraising pack.