A BOLTON doctor claims the borough's diabetes time bomb has exploded as the number of people suffering from the condition has rocketed.

In the last 12 months, 1,300 people have been diagnosed with diabetes in the town taking the total number registered on the diabetes register to 11,687.

The number of people being diagnosed with the condition is increasing drastically on a weekly basis in the borough and health chiefs are warning it will get worse.

Family GP Dr Ian James from the Springhouse Surgery, in Chorley Old Road, has seen the number of patients he treats increase sharply in recent years.

He blames the increase on rising levels of obesity and is urging people to improve their diet and lifestyle.

Dr James said: "The time bomb has already exploded and the key factor is obesity. We are breeding a generation of obese youngsters.

"Children are no longer encouraged to exercise at school and they are going home and sitting in front of their computer."

Bolton's top diabetes doctor Harnovdeep Bharaj agrees and added his support to calls for people to change their lifestyle.

The consultant physician at the Royal Bolton Hospital said: "The main cause for this rise is our lifestyle. People should make sure they eat healthily and try to exercise at least three times a week."

Diabetes arises because the body cannot use glucose properly, either because of a lack of the hormone insulin (Type One) or because the insulin available does not work effectively (Type Two).