THOUSANDS of residents will be offered free checks to test the health of their lungs.

The scheme, which will be rolled out across Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area, will see people identified of being at risk of lung cancer invited to attend for a lung health check.

They would then potentially undergo a low dose CT scan.

It is hoped the targeted diagnostic initiative will help improve survival rates by initially rolling a lung check to areas with the highest death rates from lung cancer.

The project has the potential to reach around 60,000 people over the four year period across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The Lancashire & South Cumbria Cancer Alliance has been selected to support the two CCGs (Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool) participate in the national initiative to facilitate diagnosing lung cancer earlier.

Dr Neil Smith, Blackburn GP and primary care lead for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance, said: “We welcome today’s announcement confirming the planned introduction of free lung health check projects in Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. It’s good news for Blackburn with Darwen residents."