Volunteers will be spreading awareness about the dangers of strokes by offering free blood pressure checks at a shopping centre this weekend.

Medical professionals will be on hand to carry out the tests as part of the Barnet Rotary Club’s promotion of national Stroke Awareness Day on Saturday.

Among those having their blood pressure checked between 10am and 4pm at The Spires shopping centre, in High Barnet, will be the Mayoress of Barnet Wendy Councillor Prentice and Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers.

Barnet Rotarian and local GP Dr Ian Johnston said: “I urge Barnet shoppers to take five minutes to have their blood pressure checked as a means to ensuring that they are in good health and not liable to possible strokes or other health issues.”