MORE than 20,000 Warrington residents have undiagnosed high blood pressure, according to figures released by a charity.

A total of 51,700 people living in the town have high blood pressure, but more than 40 per cent – 22,600 – are unaware of this as they have never been tested.

High blood pressure has no symptoms but causes 60 per cent of strokes and is on the rise in people aged 25 to 64.

Charity Blood Pressure UK has released the figures to coincide with its Know Your Numbers campaign, which runs next week from September 18 to 24.

As part of the campaign, special stations will be set up across town where residents can have their blood pressure checked for free.

Stations will be set up at Rowlands pharmacies on Folly Lane, Tanners Lane and Thelwall Lane, as well as their chemists at Orford Jubilee Hub.

The Hub Pharmacy on Manchester Road, Thomas Brown Pharmacy on London Road, Greencross Pharmacy on Allen Street in Bewsey and Tims and Parker on Jackson Avenue in Culcheth will also be taking part.

Professor Jamie Waterall, lead for cardiovascular disease prevention at Public Health England, said: “High blood pressure is the third biggest cause of early death and ill health in England.

“This is why it’s so important to know our numbers in the same way we would know our weight or height.

“It is arguably one of the most important numbers we should know as adults.”