HUNDREDS of Muslims had a chance to take part in The BIG Bolton Health Check after Friday prayers.

Worshippers queued up for the potentially life-saving tests as they left the prayer room at the Zakariyya Mosque in Derby Street, Daubhill.

The BIG Bolton Health Check campaign aims to reduce heart attacks and disease in Bolton by giving basic health checks to people over 45 who would not normally visit a doctor.

The test, which takes about 10 minutes, involves a finger prick sugar and cholesterol check, a blood pressure reading and a few lifestyle questions.

After the check, participants are given a bag of fruit and advice about healthy activities such as dancing and sports.

Zakariyya, the biggest of Bolton’s 19 mosques, is the first to take part in The BIG Bolton Health Check.

The Primary Care Trust-run scheme was brought to Bolton’s Muslim community with the help of the Bolton Council of Mosques.

BCOM chief officer Yaseer Ahmed said there was a high incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure in the south Asian community.

He said: “It’s due to factors such as lifestyle, diet and exercise. A lot of these people don’t go out anywhere. They go to the mosque and then go home, and that’s it.”

PCT Health development specialist Shahan Lais said: “This is quite a new way of working.

“It’s about breaking down barriers, building bridges and working with communities.”

Vali Musa, aged 81, from Daubhill, said: “I particularly want to check for diabetes. I think it’s a really good idea.”

Yusuf Kathrada, aged 55, of View Street, Daubhill, said he and all his family suffer from diabetes.

He said: “My sugar level is a bit high because I’ve had breakfast, but my blood pressure and cholesterol are okay.

“I think people within the Asian community are mostly into sweet things and they like their desserts very sweet.

“That’s why diabetes is such a problem.”

Abdul Patel, aged 49, from Blackburn, said: “I want to check myself so I can avoid going on medication. There’s a very high death rate due to heart attacks and diabetes, and this might just save them.”