Smokers at risk of lung cancer are being urged to get free scans in a health programme started this week in Havering.

Those aged between 55 and 74 who are smokers or have recently quit are being sent invitations to get their lungs tested.

Havering mayor Gerry O’Sullivan joined the NHS team at the programme launch on Monday (November 25) outside the Tesco store in Rainham where the scans take place.

More than 14,000 people in Havering should expect to receive an invitation to a lung check appointment over the next 12 months. Letters are currently being sent out to those eligible.

“We have provided 10,000 people in Havering with life-saving scans so far,” the programme’s Dr Stephanie Uys explained.

“We encourage people have a scan when they are invited to. Most of the time nothing is found — but finding out early can make treatment more successful if there are any problems such as cancer.”

The first stage is an initial phone assessment with a healthcare professional. This is followed by an offer of a low-dose tomography scan to test the lungs for further investigation if the assessment finds the person is high risk.

Scans are simple and safe, the NHS assures. They take place in a mobile unit in the car park of Rainham's Tesco Extra store in Bridge Road for those invited.

The health check programme also promotes healthier lifestyles with advice on how to stop smoking and to get in touch with stop smoking services.