WYCOMBE’S MP Steve Baker visited Wycombe Library to make sure he was on track for a healthy start to 2014 as a scheme offering free healthchecks draws to a close this weekend.

The checks are on offer at libraries over the coming weeks to reduce people’s risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

No appointments are necessary for the NHS initiative at the library, which is aimed at 40 to 74-year-olds who have not been diagnosed with any of these conditions.

Like Wycombe’s mayor, Trevor Snaith, who also had a health check recently, the town’s annual weighing in ceremony proved a prime motivator for the MP.

Mr Baker said: “We found that my cholesterol was a little bit high but my wife, a GP, told me this would reduce with the changes that I am making.

“The annual humiliation of putting on too much weight and being booed in the public square at High Wycombe’s weighing-in ceremony was too much: I’ve lost over two stone since spring.”

The 20-minute check includes questions on health and diet and a simple finger-prick cholesterol test while height, weight and blood pressure measurements will be taken.

Men are particularly encouraged to attend because their risk of heart disease and stroke is much higher than for women.

This short term offer will complement the NHS Health Checks programme offered through GP Practices across Bucks.

Patricia Birchley, Bucks County Council cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "NHS Health Checks are key to improving health in Buckinghamshire.

"More than 28,000 residents have had a check so far by making an appointment when contacted by their GP, but certain groups are less likely to attend when invited, and these community checks are being set up to help tackle this issue.

"I'd like to stress, though, that the usual way to have the NHS health check is to make an appointment when invited by your GP."

Sessions have already run at Chesham Library and Aylesbury Library and finish this weekend in Wycombe, after running on Saturday and Sunday at the library in the Eden Centre.

For further details of times visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/freehealthchecks or ring the library service on 0845 230 3232.