A BRAND new screening service looks set to help tackle diabetes in the Bromsgrove area.

The community-based diabetic retinopathy screening service was launched on Monday. It will be offered to diabetics attending their annual review.

Forty-five thousand pounds has been invested in the scheme, which allows for early detection and treatment of the disease.

There will be a choice of locations for screening sessions in both Bromsgrove and Redditch. The service offers convenient appointments and minimum waiting times.

The new service has been designed to meet the needs of its users and health bosses have aimed to take their views on board.

Diabetic retinopathy is a severe condition which affects the back of the eye, possibly leading to blindness.

It's difficult to spot in its early stages as no symptoms appear but new advanced digital photography increases the possibility of detecting and treating it.

"The GPs in Bromsgrove and Redditch, together with diabetics, have worked hard to develop this service," said Dr Bill Borastero, the Primary Care Trust professional executive committee chairman.

"I hope that people will make use of it as part of their annual review and that we can begin to detect problems at an earlier stage than we've been able to in the past."