Diabetes event led to 18 people being advised to see a doctor

Eighteen people were referred to see their doctor after a diabetes screening in Barnstaple.

The Barnstaple Lions Club and Diabetics UK held the event at the Green Lanes shopping centre.

A Lions Club spokesman said: "This was the second screening this year. The last screening was back in July which was very successful.

"This time we thought we would be less busy as it was held on a Sunday but again we were proved wrong.

"From the time we opened at 10.30 am diabetic nurse Tina Sommerville from North Devon Hospital and her three colleagues Pauline Budge, Nick and Jane Fewings had a steady flow of shoppers who wanted to be screened.

"By 4pm when they finally stopped, 147 people had been screened which resulted in 18 referrals to their GPs. This number was up on the last screening in July."

Barnstaple Mayor Jeremy Phillips also attended to support the event.