The Mecca Bingo in Wishaw have teamed up with NHS Lanarkshire and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland in order to support the FAST stroke awareness campaign. The message behind the campaign is that strokes are a medical emergency and people should think FAST and call 999 immediately.

An NHS Lanarkshire stroke nurse consultant, Campbell Chalmers commented: “Over 1000 people in Lanarkshire have a stroke every year and, contrary to popular myth, a stroke is not something that only happens to older people as about a quarter occur in the under-65s.

“It is essential people recognise a stroke when it’s happening and take prompt action. Delay increases the risk of death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems. It is vital that the symptoms are not ignored.”

The keyword behind the campaign FAST – which stands for Face, Arm, Speech and Time to call 999 – is aimed to help make people aware of the signs of stroke.

Strokes are the third largest killer in Britain claiming the lives of one in eight women and one in 10 men. The two biggest killers are disease and cancer.

Campbell said: “The FAST campaign is designed to make members of the public react as quickly as possible.

“Rapid treatment can make a huge difference to the odds of surviving or being left with some form of long-term disability.”

By making the emergency 999 call victims can potentially receive hospital treatment much sooner. The early acute assessment and treatment, such as thrombolysis, can prevent further damage to the brain.

David Clark, the CHSS chief executive added: “Stroke can happen to anyone at any age. The campaign highlights that stroke is a medical emergency.

“You can’t see the damage it causes to the brain but emergency treatment can make all the difference to your chances of making the best possible recovery.

“Everyone should know how to spot the signs of stroke and help save a life”