SCORES of people in Southampton discovered they are at high risk of developing a life-threatening illness at a road show organised by Diabetes UK.

More than 90 people were referred to their GP after 174 people were tested for Type 2 Diabetes at the Bargate.

Organisers wanted to target people who are at increased risk of developing the life-threatening condition, especially those from ethnic minorities.

Anyone over 40 and of Afro-Caribbean, black African, Chinese heritage or who’s family are from South Asia and over 25 is at increased risk of contracting the illness, especially those with a family member already with the condition.

If untreated Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of complications including heart attacks, strokes, blindness or amputations.

Jill Steaton, Diabetes UK regional manager in the South East, said: “We are very concerned that so many people in Southampton are at risk of Type 2 diabetes, particularly as there are already 12,000 people diagnosed with the condition in Southampton.

“But by finding out their risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, the people of Southampton have taken the first step towards doing something about it.

“For many people, eating more healthily and taking more exercise can delay or stop them from getting Type 2 diabetes.”

Michael Njoku is only 22 but he wanted to find out if he was at risk.

Originally from Nigeria, he is at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

He said: “I wanted to be up-to-date on these things. Because of my environment you meet people who are obese, that are diabetic. It’s about just understanding there are these types of people.”

He took the test and found out he wasn’t diabetic, something which he puts down to an active, healthy lifestyle.

Angie Whitmarsh, chairman of Southampton’s Diabetes UK group said: “A lot of people from different ethnic communities say that they were fine before they came to England but since they’ve been here they’ve noticed problems.

“Their lifestyles are very different from when they come here.

“It’s very encouraging that so many people stopped and were tested and want to find out a bit more about diabetes.”

To see if you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes visit diabetes.org.uk/knowyourrisk.

For more information about diabetes, visit www.diabetes.org.uk and follow news about the roadshow with the hashtag #dukroadshow on Twitter.