79 year old retired police officer Peter Stevens was struggling with shortness of breath and numbness in his feet before his GP detected high sugar levels in his blood, advised him to make some lifestyle changes and referred him to the local Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention programme.

In the first five weeks of the programme Peter lost almost a stone in weight and has lowered his cholesterol level. His wife Cynthia has also been referred to the programme. Together the couple regularly attend sessions near their home which look at the causes and remedies of Type 2 diabetes, encourages patients to achieve a healthy weight, be physically active and eat a balanced diet.

Cynthia said: “It’s great to attend the group together. We can encourage and support each other at home and between us we have no excuse for forgetting any details. Being with other patients in the group also generates a bit of competitive spirt so its good fun to go each time and see how we are all progressing.”

Peter, a keen rugby player in his younger days, added: “Making quite minimal lifestyle changes like eating fruit instead of cakes and biscuits and taking regular short walks, delivers significant results. It’s a small price to pay to avoid the danger of becoming diabetic.”