SCORES of farmers going to market have taken the opportunity to get a free health check over the past six months.

Around 130 from across the South West have seen a nurse in the Derek Mead Health Clinic at Sedgemoor Livestock Market since its launch in April.

The scheme, on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, was set up in honour of auction centre owner Derek Mead, who died in a farming accident last year.

The service has picked up several health problems, according to Belinda Bennett, the clinic's lead nurse.

She said: "We have found people with very high blood sugars who are potentially diabetic and had no idea.

"In these situations we refer them to their GP for further tests. This may have been missed if they had not come to us, which could have led to a more serious issues in the future."

The centre, next to the main ring at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, is supported by various local bodies, who have formed the Health Clinic Steering Group.

Ms Bennett added: "We go through a lifestyle questionnaire. We ask if they drink, or smoke, are there any health issues we need to be aware of? We do blood pressure, blood sugars and height and weight.

"The common factor they all have is that they haven’t seen a doctor for a long time."

On average, the team sees about 15 people a day, with the most common problems weight, mental health and blood pressure.

Ms Bennett attributes mental health issues to the stress of farming, adding: "It’s all the rules and regulations that are now part of being a farmer, as well as having to jump through hoops to meet the required standards.

"Worries tend to be focused around money, with the isolation of farming making such worries even worse. Some say they don’t see another person from day-to-day."

Around £19,500 has been raised by the steering group to fund the clinic, enough to pay for a nurse and a receptionist to run the clinic for another year at no cost to patients, although the group is looking for more donations to extend the service in-line with demand.