ALMOST 8,800 people have been diagnosed with diabetes in Halton, according to analysis by Diabetes UK.

Since last year, this number has increased from 8,555 to 8,792.

The area has the highest prevalence of the condition in the Merseyside CCG region, with 8.17 per cent of people diagnosed with diabetes compared with the national average of 6.9 per cent.

Across the UK 3.9 million people are currently living with a diagnosis of diabetes, and 90 per cent of those have type two.

Clare Howarth, head of the north of England at Diabetes UK, said: "Type two diabetes is an urgent public health crisis, and solving it depends on decisive action that’s led by government, supported by industry and delivered across our society.

"More than half of all cases of type two diabetes, and the accompanying risk of developing devastating complications, could be prevented or delayed by supporting people to make healthier choices. "This includes mandating industry to make food and drinks healthier and addressing the marketing and promotion of unhealthy foods.

"At the same time, we need to help people understand their personal risk of type two diabetes and find tailored clinical support to reduce it.

"The Government promised to tackle obesity, and it’s time for them deliver on this promise, and lead the way in affecting real change.

"Preventing type two diabetes, and the development of devastating complications for those living with the condition, has to be a public health priority."

People with type two diabetes are 50 per cent more likely to die prematurely than those without diabetes and are two to two-and-a-half times more likely to experience heart failure.

To find out more about the risk factors and how to reduce your risk visit: diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/diabetes-risk-factors.