Free health checks 'will save lives'

Hundreds of lives could be saved if the NHS and local authorities in England did more to encourage people to take up free health checks, the health secretary has said.

Jeremy Hunt was speaking about the NHS Health Check programme, led by Public Health England, which offers tests of blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and lifestyle.

Some 15 million people aged between 40 and 74 are eligible for the free checks, which health officials say could curb diabetes and heart attacks.

Tom Esslemont reports.