Barrow residents at risk of liver disease are being urged to get their livers checked for free outside of the town hall this Friday (October 20).

It's estimated that around one in ten adults in the town might be walking around with liver disease, completely unaware, as there are typically no early warning signals.

The British Liver Trust has teamed up with East Lancashire NHS Trust, bringing a mobile screening roadshow to Barrow.

As part of this initiative, the Love Your Liver unit, run by the aforementioned Trust, will set up outside the Town Hall on Duke Street between 10am and 4pm.

Designed to cater to those at high risk of liver disease, the target group includes the obese, type 2 diabetes patients, individuals with high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, those who drink large quantities of alcohol, and those at risk of viral hepatitis.

Nine in ten liver disease cases of liver disease are said to be preventable, with the above conditions being the main causes.

The roadshow's aim is to detect signs of liver disease early, while also providing healthcare professionals to guide individuals on optimum liver health through correct diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices.

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of British Liver Trust, said: "We are delighted that East Lancashire has hired our Love Your Liver mobile unit, allowing them to bring information and guidance about preventative liver disease to the people of Barrow-in-Furness."

“One in three of us are at risk of liver disease and the numbers of people being diagnosed have been increasing at an alarming rate.  Liver damage develops silently with no signs or symptoms and people often don’t realise they have a problem until it is too late. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left until symptoms appear, the damage is often irreversible.

“Approximately 10 per cent of the people scanned at the British Liver Trust’s mobile Love Your Liver events nationwide need to have further checks.”

The Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three easy steps back to good liver health: drink within recommended limits with three consecutive alcohol-free days per week, cut down on sugar, carbs, and fat while exercising more, and know the risks of viral hepatitis, seeking testing or vaccination where necessary.

Those unable to attend can still check their risk and liver health via an online screening test available on the British Liver Trust website.