IN an age when an estimated million British people have diabetes without knowing it, a Kidderminster man's plea for more people to use the clinic he champions has never been more poignant.

Especially considering failure to treat the disease can lead to such complications as heart and kidney failure, blindness and loss of lower limbs through gangrene. nurses Dawn Edwards and Lyn Gilbert with Wyre Forest Diabetes UK chairman Fred Holland.

Fred Holland, who formed the Wyre Forest branch of Diabetes UK 33 years ago when his daughter Vivienne developed the illness, is imploring more people to get themselves tested at Wyre Forest Centre for Diabetes and Education at Kidderminster Hospital.

The 66-year-old said he is also "desperate" to find someone to work alongside him and take over his role as the charity's district chairman next year - because he feels he is "getting a bit old for it".

"There are people out there who've got diabetes and don't even know about it - so we're trying to get people to go and do blood sugar tests so they can know if they have it or not," Mr Holland explained.

"Sometimes you don't even get any symptoms but it's a condition which can give you serious complications if it is not treated at the right time."

Mr Holland, who was made an honorary member of Diabetes UK last year in recognition of his work, said symptoms include exhaustion, sweating and needing to pass a lot of water.

The father of two, whose organisation provides the diabetes centre with advice leaflets on the condition, said the clinic gives "exceptional" treatment to sufferers and their families.

Specialist nurses Lyn Gilbert and Dawn Edwards, who set up and run the clinic, not only treat patients with the illness, but provide education and support for health professionals involved in caring for diabetic patients.

Mr Holland added his group's next target was a new £1,800 computer system for the centre.

"Things are tight at the moment because all the money we raise should go to London but we funnel it back into the local community if people request it," he added.

"We've been out giving talks and what we really need now is some money to come in and support the diabetic fund and movement."

Dawn Edwards, who has been a nurse for 32 years, added it was hoped the centre would be expanded in the future.

Anyone interested in helping out with the Wyre Forest branch of Diabetes UK should contact Mr Holland on 01562 68649.

Both nurses can also be contacted at Kidderminster Hospital on 01562 823424.