THIS was the moment Worcester spelt out its intention to wear its heart on its sleeve by signing up to a new scheme.

Worcester City Council has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to become a heart city as part of the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal to mark the charity’s 50th anniversary.

With heart and circulatory disease being the UK’s biggest killer, the scheme aims to bring communities together through fund-raising and volunteering to help beat heart disease.

As well as raising awareness the BHF will offer people a range of support services in schools, the workplace and lifestyle choices.

Donna Stokes, BHF fund-raising volunteer manager in Worcester, said: “Every day, 276 people have a heart attack. That’s people in the Worcester community, your family, your neighbours and your friends.

“Our Heart City communities learn how to look after their hearts with our practical steps on how to improve lifestyle and heart health.”

Worcester’s Mayor, councillor Roger Berry, signed the official pledge. He said: “With the BHF we have committed to improving the heart health of the Worcester community today and for future generations.

“We hope local people will support us through local volunteering and fund-raising activities to raise money for the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.”

One resident who was keen to see the link-up was John Bradley, who had a heart attack in 1996 and is now a member of the Worcester Heart Support group. He said: “I’m really excited that Worcester has teamed up with the BHF to become a Heart City.”

For more information go to bhf.org.uk/mbh.