AN event aimed at increasing the awareness of coronary heart disease in the South Asian community was held in Huddersfield.

It aimed to highlight the increased risk of heart disease and educate people about the steps they could take to reduce it.

Fakhra Amini, who helped to organise the event at Birkby and Fartown Community Centre, said many Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani people had heart disease.

She said about 40% more people in these communities died from coronary heart disease than in the general population.

Ms Amini is an information and education worker for the South Asian Healthy Living Partnership.

The event included blood pressure checks, educational talks and a talk by Clr Annie Smith.

It is hoped to organise similar events soon.