Hundreds of people in Bradford have been diagnosed with the commonest form of diabetes since a new campaign to beat the condition was launched in November last year.

As part of the Bradford Beating Diabetes (BBD) initiative, letters are now being posted out urging more people in Bradford to get along to their GPs and be checked for diabetes.

The letters are inviting people who have been identified in the last 12 months as at moderate to high risk of developing diabetes, to go to their doctors and take a simple blood test.

The test will show if they are still at moderate to high risk, if their risk has decreased or whether they have developed diabetes. Depending on the results, they will then be offered a range of help, advice or treatment to keep them well and prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

If they have diabetes already, patients will be given a follow-up appointment to help with the management of the disease and to stop future complications.

A total of 2,192 people will receive this letter in the Bradford City CCG area.

Since it started Bradford Beating Diabetes three months ago, 250 people have been newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the area.

Type 2 is the commonest form of the condition and is often developed later in life but can be controlled through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and following a healthy diet.

Bradford City CCG hopes the letters will prevent people from developing the condition as well as diagnosing people earlier to gain better control of the symptoms.

Dr Kulpana Patel, a Bradford Beating Diabetes Clinical Champion said diabetes is on the rise nationally but is particularly prevalent in the Bradford City area, so it is a key priority."

She said: "We want to prevent as many people as possible from developing diabetes. By giving people help and advice to make small changes to their diet and lifestyle they can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes."

As well as sending out letters and getting people along to their GPs, newly-appointed Bradford Beating Diabetes champions are working out in communities running lifestyle change sessions giving specialist help and advice on how to prevent or control the condition.

To find out more about diabetes, go to diabetes.org.uk