KEIGHLEY Rotarians are offering free blood pressure checks in the town centre on Saturday.

Club members are joining with the Stroke Association to stage the event, in the Airedale Shopping Centre from 10am to 3pm.

The venture is being held as part of a national campaign highlighting the risks of high blood pressure, which contributes to over half of all strokes.

And the event, which will also include information and advice, coincides with Know Your Blood Pressure Day.

Keighley Rotary president Janet Pickles said the organisation was a long-time supporter of the campaign across the country and last year received a special recognition award from the Stroke Association.

"Rotary's support has reached hundreds of thousands of people in the past decade – potentially saving many lives," she added.

"The ideal blood pressure is 120/80 but we know a significant number of people have readings above that and a quarter have dangerously high blood pressure, over 140/90.

"It's clear from our work that high blood pressure is far more common than people would think."

Laura McGuinness, for the Stroke Association, said: "High blood pressure is often referred to as the silent killer because it doesn't present symptoms and many people have no idea their health may be at risk. Getting your blood pressure checked is easy and quick."