STUDENTS are being offered the chance to have their heart checked free of charge, courtesy of the Knutsford Community First Responders Trust (KCFRT).

Funding from the charity will enable Knutsford Academy students aged 14 and over to be scanned for underlying heart conditions by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) medics.

The screening day will be held at the academy on March 27, with up to 100 students set to be seen to.

A further public event, as held in the past two years, takes place in November.

Adrian Rees of KCFRT said: “We have committed to again providing two full screening days for Knutsford’s young adults, working with colleagues at CRY.

“We approached the Academy late last year with our offer to provide free cardiac screening for their students on-site.

“They were delighted to be offered this opportunity and have now agreed how this will be implemented.”

Eligible students have been informed of the offer this week, with information also being distributed to parents. To book a slot, students should email adrianrees@heartstartknutsford.co.uk with their name, address, phone number and age.

CRY screenings involve an electrocardiogram test (ECG), with results read by a cardiologist. An echocardiogram is also available.

James Routs of Knutsford Academy said: “It always seems far too often that you hear about the tragic news that a young person has died from an undiagnosed heart condition.

“We are delighted to be working with Knutsford First Responders and CRY to provide this unique heart screening service in school for our students.”